Recently, we posted an article in which I explained why I personally believe that Christians should carry a Bible daily. Explaining that by caring a physical Bible everywhere with you show the world you are unashamed of your faith. While also opening yourself up to spend more time in the word with our the distractions that come with smartphone apps.
To which I received a comment where the writer said “I think the is outward show of faith is just that a show”. Adding that living out your faith requires more then a show. This caused me to start thinking. While the commenter is right that living a Christian life takes more then a show. Doesn’t the Bible teach us that we should make a show of our faith?
James 1:22 (ESV)
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
In the above verse James tells us to be doers of the word. Not just those who hear and know the word but choose to just sit on the sidelines. To do the word requires action. If you really want to be a doer of the word you must step out into the world. So much of what the Bible says we are to do is not meant to be done in private or only at Church. We are called to declare God’s glory to the world.
Psalm 96:3 (ESV)
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
In order to do that then we must be willing to at times put on a show. Just look at how King David, known as a man after God’s heart, made a show of his faith. He danced before the Ark of the covenant.
2 Samuel 6:14 (ESV)
14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod.
David actually put on such a spectacle that it upset his wife. In fact, she was so upset over the show he put on that she called him out about it. But David knew his act was seen as right in the eyes of the lord.
2 Samuel 6:16 (ESV)
16 As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart.
2 Samuel 6:20–22 (ESV):
20 And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”
21 And David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the Lord—and I will celebrate before the Lord.
22 I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor.”
Even the Apostles where prone to putting on a show from time to time as well. Peter and John displayed their faith in a vary really way when the healed the lame man. Right at the entrance to the temple. Where large crowds of people would pass by daily. This extreme show of faith lead to many receiving salvation that very day.
Acts 3:6–9 (ESV)
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God,
Acts 4:1–4 (ESV)
4 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
We must not forget Paul and Silas performance that night in the jell cell. Where they sang loud and proud for all the people to hear. In this instance their show of faith lead to the Phillipian jailer and his family being saved.
Acts 16:25 (ESV)
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
Acts 16:30–33 (ESV)
30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
Those are just a few examples out of many in the Bible when people made grand shows of their faith. These examples teach us that making a public display of your faith is good thing. That their is no reason we should not be willing to do even the smallest things publicly in order to display our faith to all people.
That being said the Bible also does tell of those who turned religion into a show for the wrong reasons. The Pharisees were know for doing many different signs of faith in public. Only so that those who saw them would view them as super religious or holy. Jesus even called them out multiple times for doing this during His ministry.
Matthew 6:1–2 (ESV)
6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Matthew 6:5 (ESV)
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
It was not the fact that the Pharisees acted in public that was the problem. It was the motive in their heart that was the issue. Instead of showing their faith in. Order to bring glory to God. They did things in order to bring glory to themselves.
This is the fine line we must walk as we act our faith in our daily lives. Our goal must never be to do things in order to be seen by man for vain glory. Our goal should always be to inspire others to glorify God.
1 Peter 2:12 (ESV)
12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Making a show of you faith is not something required in scripture. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do it. It’s the small acts of faith that we show the world everyday that are able to have the greatest impact. We don’t always have to praise loudly for all to hear. Or command a man to be healed.
The truth is you can carry your Bible with in public. Pray before you eat your meals at the restaurant. Stop to help a stranger. Give to those in need. Even go as simple as sharing the joy of the Lord through a smile. Almost anything can be done as a display of faith to the world. Just be sure you are doing it to bring attention the the Lord and not yourself.
John 3:30 (ESV)
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Hopefully, this article has inspired you to join me in making a show of your faith daily. Be purposeful in your actions. Doing things that cause others to ask you about the hope you have in Christ.
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
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