The other day I was spending time with a dear brother in Christ. In our conversation he said, "It was because of so and so that I became a Christian." Later that day I was speaking with another brother and he was telling me "because of them it led me to seeking the truth." "Because of you" can be wonderful words to our ears.
However, there can be very disheartening news from the words "because of you." Peter speaks to the church that there will be false teachers secretly introducing destructive heresies and "because of them" the way of the truth will be maligned (II Pet. 2:2). The truth of God is serious. Would you like to face God knowing people sought another path "because of you"? The Jew's made bold claims of being God's chosen yet we hear "because of you" the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles (Rom. 2:24). How did they blaspheme the name of God? They claimed God as theirs but their attitudes and actions were like the world around. They condemned certain practices but practiced other things just a evil. Israel was headed to captivity and destruction as the Lord said "because of you" living in their wickedness (Hos. 10:15) while claiming to be the people of God.
Anytime we live in a way that brings shame upon the name of God, that does not glorify Him, we are causing God to be maligned and His truth a joke. Is it possible that by the things we are involved in, our attitudes in the workplace or our family living is causing God to be laughed at "because of you"? Just look at many marriages how they are broken. What message are we sending to the lost? Is it possible that the power to save in the gospel cannot be heard because our actions are speaking so much more than His word?
We don't want people to see us, we want people to see Jesus and it will be "because of you." When you approach the end of your life, what words will follow the statement "because of you..."?
1 comment:
It would be horrible to find out that something I did caused one to lose their faith. It is also disheartening to see people like Fred Phelps and Benny Hinn who can turn many away from Jesus with their acts.
On the other hand, it bothers me when people use "hypocrisy" as a reason to stay away from God. Just because no one can live up to the standard it doesn't mean you get rid of the standard.
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