A LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL

A LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL Last night I was once again reminded of how important our actions are when we interact with those outside the Church. It is so easy to behave one way at church and then let our guard down and contradict our profession of faith in Christ when we leave. We need to realize that there are people watching us at all times. For that reason alone, we should be very careful how we act in the community. Now let me tell you about my encounter just last night with my new friend at the gym. As we were talking a spiritual lesson came into sharp focus. There were two ways our conversation could have gone. Over the period of time our friendship has been developing he could have observed that I act like everyone else at the gym and found nothing compelling about my faith. If that was the case, he would have been unimpressed by the Gospel of Christ if not altogether turned-off. Instead, he has seen in me a difference, which appears to be drawing him to our Lord. He told me that his biggest problem with “organized religion” is the hypocrisy. I agreed. He has become disillusioned with the Church, and in turn the gospel, because he has seen too many professing Christians acting one way at the “church house” and acting in another way in the community. Have you ever wondered how many people in Canton have been turned away from the gospel because of the way we Christians behave in public? I wonder if I have in any way participated in disillusioning my neighbors. Is it really important how we treat the cashier at the grocery store? Is it significant to the Great Commission how we respond to the people we interact with every day in the restaurant, at the ballpark, or in the front yard? Does it really make a difference how we treat our co-workers and how diligently we perform our responsibilities on job? YES, it is crucial to the Gospel! Then how are we supposed to live? “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philippians 1:27) “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1) “…Encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His Kingdom and glory.” (I Thessalonians 2:12) What does it mean to let the way you live be worthy of the gospel of Christ? Is that even possible? Isn’t the whole idea behind the gospel the truth that we are not worthy of it? Nothing we have ever done merits the Holy God’s love and mercy displayed in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. How then are we supposed to live in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Christ? Paul goes on to describe what that might look like: humility, gentleness, patience, bearing one another with love, eager to maintain unity, standing firm in one spirit, and having one mind to name a few. Although these passages call us to what seem like impossible goals, Paul teaches us that when God saves us He transforms us, and thereby, we can be empowered daily by His Spirit to live worthy of the gospel all the while validating the reality of our faith. Hence, we have the commandment to live worthy and Christ’s blood is not wasted. My point here is this, if we are not living according to Paul’s instruction in these passages, we could cause a non-believer to think, “If that is how you’re living, what need do I have of Jesus?” What a tragedy that would be! Aaron Hodges