“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians whom acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”
The Bible says that we all (Christians too!) have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) I find that my flesh and my spirit are constantly at war. The things I know I should do I do not do but that which I don’t want to do that I do.
Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
The thing is to learn from our mistakes and keep our eyes on God and His will. The minute we remove focus from off Jesus Christ, like Peter we’ll just sink. The fall of a Christian is especially discouraging to anyone whom may have initial interest in getting to know about being a disciple of Jesus.
I myself know of an individual whom states that she does not believe in Christianity, nor any other religions. I asked her why, then she said that simply because there was a time when a pastor invited her to service. She took the opportunity to attend. The message of one of the pastor’s sermons included the scripture from Matthew 5:39“But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
I remember her saying that she knew of a claimed to be Christian fellow whom didn’t act in accordance with that particular scripture. Instead fought off his opponent. So to her the entire idea of Christianity is fake. Really saddens me how we discourage others. I too find myself being consumed with anger when the Bible clearly states that the meek inherits the land (Matthew 5:5). I too find myself not loving my brothers and sisters the way Christ commands us to. One of the many things that amazes me about Jesus is that even when He knew that Judas was going to betray Him, He still loved him unconditionally. The disciples themselves had not a clue when Jesus said that one of them would betray Him. If Jesus had showed any less love for Judas, I’m pretty sure the disciples wouldn’t have questioned the matter or at least wouldn’t have been so dumbfounded.
John 13:21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.”22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
So you see, it’s very important for us Christians to set a good example.
For one, we are to practice what we preach, two, doing good for the glory of God is eternally good for our souls and last but not least, our actions does influence others. (Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.) It’s one thing to corrupt our own souls, but to corrupt another’s seems to me to be far greater a wickedness.
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”