“Do your friends know?”
A buddy of mine yesterday in class saw the background that I have on my computer screen. This background is a picture of my brother Jeff, my buddy Logan, and I. This picture is of “Stained Gray” (our band) playing at the 3rd of July party at our house. When he saw it he immediately said to me “Wow, I didn’t know that you played drums!” This makes complete sense to me…why, you ask? Because I haven’t ever given him an inclination that I played the drums. You wouldn’t be able to tell just from looking at me that I am a drummer. Now this got me to thinking (yes, I do think from time to time), would you be able to tell that I’m a Christian, just by looking at me?
If you apply that question to yourself, you may sadly already know what the answer is. Back in my middle school days I wasn’t the best of kids. I didn’t bully kids around or things like that, but I did have a problem controlling my tongue. I used to say cuss words like it was no one’s business, and I didn’t have a problem with it because well…everyone was doin’ it! The question was brought up though one time at a lunch table of my fellow peers, that question was: “What religion are you?” My response of Christian was one that garnered a look of surprise. They didn’t really believe it because after all the example I was setting with my speech wasn’t one that a Christian should. 1 Tim. 4.12 says this:
12(A) Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers(B) an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (ESV)
Guys, I wasn’t setting that example. I was falling short and showing others that cussing if you’re a Christian is totally fine, but we know this not to be the case. Guys, I didn’t tell you this story to tell you that I’m a much, much Christian now (I have matured in that area, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still have my problems in other areas), I write this to tell you that you ought to pay attention to the example that you are setting. I would like for you this week to really take a look at your life and see what kind of example you are setting at work, school, the grocery store, or wherever else you may be. Leave no doubts in people’s minds about whether you are a Christian or not!
16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (2 Tim. 4.16, NIV)
-Jack Dodgen
