What Difference Is It Making?

Verse of the day: Genesis 19:14 So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking. 

What does our testimony say about who we are in Christ? Do we truly stand out as born again believers, or do we blend in with the world? Does our character, behavior, and standards of living set us apart from those who do not know the Lord personally? If we were brought into a court room and accused of being a true Christian, would there be enough evidence to prove the accusation true? Does our behavior towards others, our work ethic, social behavior, service to the Lord, and daily routine and habits reflect a true dedication and love for Christ? Are we more excited about the upcoming sporting event than we are about someone coming to know Christ? Do we cheer for our favorite team more than we say amen when we hear God’s truth? Do we impatiently look at our watches when the preacher starts to “infringe” on our “game time” on Sundays? What does our life as a believer truly communicate to the unsaved world that we are supposed to be leading to Jesus? What does it say to other believers that we are supposed to be encouraging with our testimony? Does our testimony tell the world that we are true followers of Jesus, or are we “undercover” Christians? I am not saying that we are perfect, and never stumble. What I am asking is, when we do stumble, it that the exception and not the rule in our lives? Sadly, in the life of Lot, it seems that his testimony for the Lord was laughable. At a crucial moment, one of life and death, when he tried to warn his own family members of the impending, and coming, judgment by God, they reacted as if what he was saying was a joke. Is our Christianity viewed as a joke by others because of our lack of reverence in our own living? Does our lack of dedication and honor in living for the Lord cause others to mock our faith, especially when we have opportunities to tell others about Jesus? This ought not to be so in the life of a true born again child of God. 2 Corinthians 6:17 tells us to come out from among the unsaved and be separated unto God. This does not mean that we have no contact with the unsaved; for if we do not live among them how will we win them? This is an admonishment not to live like the unsaved. Jesus told us in John 17:16 that we are not of this world as a follower of Christ. 1 Peter 1:15-17 commands us to be holy as God, who called us, is holy; and to live in reverent fear of God in our short stay here on earth. Too many of us forget how important our testimony is in giving the Lord the ability to effectively use us to win others to Him, and to encourage our fellow brother/sister in Christ. The bottom line is that our testimony should allow others to see more of Jesus in our life than they see of us. John the Baptist put it this way in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” We must strive to live in such a way that it becomes obvious to others that we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind; and our neighbor as ourselves (Luke 10:27). Lot’s testimony cost his sons-in-law their lives. The sad part about that is that Lot, in reality, was a righteous man who was vexed by the environment that he lived in; this is recorded for us in 2 Peter 2:7. However, it was his own desires that put him in Sodom in the first place, and it was his apparent lack of demonstrating his faith that made his testimony useless at such a crucial time. Is our testimony a tool that God can use for His glory? Is it something He can use to bring the Gospel message to those that are perishing? Our testimony can be the difference between eternal life and death for our family members, friends, and those God puts before us for the purpose of speaking His Name. It can make the difference between the encouragement or discouragement of a brother/sister who is in distress. What difference is our testimony making for Jesus here on earth, and what heavenly reward will we receive or forfeit because of it?

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing their sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).