UNSHAKEABLE: It is easy to get caught up in the culture wars and the Christian political movement and every other cause that bashes the evil practices and mindset of this world. To be sure, there is nothing necessarily wrong with being outspoken about your spiritual values. However, we would do God and the Good News we represent a big favor if we would clean up our act first. How about we try this: Let’s first live what we say we believe, then we can talk! Let’s make sure our beliefs match our behavior. Let’s not just mindlessly parrot, “what would Jesus do” — do it! Let’s live it from the core of who we are.

Unshakeable Living // Romans 2:23-24

You are so proud of knowing God’s laws, but you dishonor him by breaking them. No wonder the Scriptures say that the world speaks evil of God because of you.

While I certainly don’t think this is unique to our current context, year after year, we read the same scandalous reports of supposedly righteous people falling into the very sin they so publicly condemn: A family-values senator is found out to have kept the company of female “escorts.” A high-profile evangelical leader is exposed for abusing power, misappropriating church finances, or having an affair. The divorce rate among churchgoers is nearly the same rate as non-churchgoers. Believers are said to blend in ethically with just about everyone else in the workplace.

It is no wonder that non-Christians tag us as hypocrites and despise our God!

It is easy to get caught up in the culture wars and the Christian political movement and every other cause that bashes the evil practices and mindset of this world. To be sure, there is nothing necessarily wrong with being outspoken about your spiritual values. However, we would do God and the Good News we represent a big favor if we would clean up our act first.

Jesus had some pointed things to say about that:

Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. (Matthew 7:1-5)

How about this: First, try living what you say you believe, then you can talk! Make sure your beliefs match your behavior. Don’t just mindlessly parrot, “what would Jesus do” — do it! Live it from the core of who you are.

We may not win the whole world for Christ, but we would be a lot more effective than we are now. And perhaps we would convince a few people along the way that this Good News is a pretty good deal.

“ Preach the Gospel at all times and, when necessary, use words. — ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI