Either Live It or Just Be Quiet
Jason and I don't watch very many television shows, but one we enjoy is The Amazing Race. We delight in the scenery and find great fascination in the various tasks the teams must perform to progress through the race. Every once in a while, however, something is said or done that makes me mad. This week's episode was like that.
There were two girls who, at the beginning of this stage of the race, were praising God and claiming that He was everything in their lives. They stated that they were content with whatever happened because they were sure God's will would be done. They went on like this for several moments, and to be honest, I had mixed emotions. I was glad to hear the girls speak so openly about their faith. However, I also knew that, in the past, the show had made a mockery of those who claimed faith in God. Somehow, someway, they turned everything around and made the team look bad. This time, unfortunately, the girls were as much to blame as the show.
Before arriving at their first destination, the girls were pulled over for speeding. Moments before, the driver had commented that she had no idea what the speed limit was, but when the officer confronted her about her speeding, she claimed that she was sorry and that she thought the speed limit was a certain number. She then proceeded to brag to her partner and camera man how she was a professional at talking her way out of speeding tickets. Thankfully, she couldn't talk her way out of this one and was forced to pay the fine. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done. The producers of the show didn't hesitate to run the entire event together to where the girls were praising God with one breath and lying through their teeth with the next. It made me sick!
And we wonder why it's becoming more and more difficult to win souls to Christ! It's certainly not because God isn't working like He used to. He hasn't changed. Instead, it's due to the lackadaisical attitude so many Christians have. They claim Christ, but they don't live it. And so, when the world looks on, they don't see anything different. Why do they need Christ when we act and talk the same as they do? Where's the difference? Where's the change? I've gotten to the point where I just want to stand up and shout, "Either live it or just be quiet!" In other words, if you've not going to live like a Christian, then please don't claim to be one. Don't praise God with one breath and lie with the next.
None of us are perfect. I get that, really, I do. We all make mistakes. We all fail to live up to the standard of Christ that is set before us. But honestly, some folks make me wonder if they even try. They seem so comfortable with their sin and their conformity to the world. They don't bat an eye at lying, stealing, cheating and the like. It's just part of life to them it seems. I hate to tell you, my friend, but that's not a Christian at all, for the word Christian means "Christ-like".
It's one thing to have the world ridicule us. It's quite another to provide them with the ammunition to attack. If we're going to be Christians, then let's act like it. Let's not be like the Laodicean church who was rebuked for being lukewarm. It's time to quit straddling the fence. Either we're Christians, or we're not. Let's make up our minds!
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. - Romans 12:2