Have you ever thought about how the way you live as a Christian has an impact on how others view God? Whether you realize it or not others are looking at you to form their view of what you proclaim to believe. Your life can either cause them to grow in faith. Or can confirm their preconceived notions that the church is full of hateful hypocrites pushing them further away from the Lord. Our lives as Christians should inspire faith and draw people to God, not the opposite. By living out God’s word we should be inspiring others to glorify His name.
That is just what Jesus taught during His sermon on the mount. Jesus referred to us, His followers, as the light of the world. Stating that we should not hide our light but let it shine for all people to see. Our good deeds, the fruit our righteous lives produce, should be on display for the world to see. Which should inspire everyone to praise the name of God.
Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
As Christians, we should do our best to shine God’s light on every situation bad or good. For instance, helping offer relief aid after natural disasters. A good deed that causes even those who don’t believe to be thankful for our ministry and the God in whose name we provide support. Or in the small daily ways of offering patience, love, and kindness to those around us. Causing those who don’t yet know God to be thankful for the life He has produced in us. Our lives should be a reflection of God that inspires a good view of Him in the lives of those we meet and help.
The life of a Christian should never cause the name of God to be slandered. Our lives should not cause people to turn away from or walk further away from God. If people are always calling you hypocritical or aren’t willing to hear you share the gospel you are doing something wrong. You are not inspiring the right view of God because some aspect of your life is out of order and not in line with the Bible. Scripture tells us that it is false teachers who cause the way of truth to be slandered. Who are of course assisted in this by false believers.
2 Peter 2:2 (ESV)
2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.
Our lives as Christians should bring glory to the name of God and not slander. We should inspire people to turn to God by the way in which they see us live. Our lives should not push others away from faith or cause them to view the church as hypocritical. Our actions should be different than the actions of those living in the world. Christians are called to live different lives which match the teaching of the Bible and contradict the attitude of our culture.
Yes, the world will not agree with our views and opinions. Which will cause discourse and strong disagreements. But the biblical way in which we meet these issues should still inspire a good view of God and the church. As we live out the passages of scripture that instruct us to turn the other cheek, act in love, be patient with those who oppose us, and so on. Refusing to turn to the ways we often see in our world of anger, hate, lying, and other mean-spirited actions. The contrast should be noticeable inspiring questions from nonbelievers. Giving us the opportunity to share the hope we have in Christ just as scripture says.
Matthew 5:39 (ESV)
39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (ESV)
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
2 Timothy 2:25 (ESV)
25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
1 Peter 3:13–15 (ESV)
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 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,
It’s hard to believe that your life could really impact the potential of someone else placing their faith in God but it truly can. That is why those who come to faith and have an unbelieving spouse are told to stay with that person. Because the way in which they live has the potential to draw that other person to life-saving faith. In the same way, our righteous lives can attract coworkers, friends, family, and even those we only share a moment of kindness with to God. Your life is having an impact on others. It can either inspire praise and faith or distance and unbelief. As a Christian, it should always be the first.
1 Corinthians 7:12–16 (ESV)
12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
1 Peter 3:1–2 (ESV)
1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
So ask yourself what does your life inspire in the lives of others? Do others take an interest in the Lord because of the way they see you live? Does your attitude, work ethic, character, and choice of language bring glory to the name of the Lord? Or do you cause the lost around you to develop a bad view of the church? Inspiring thoughts of greed, hypocrisy, wickedness, and strengthening beliefs that God can’t be real because of how you live?
Scripture is clear that the life of every Christian should inspire good views of God and the church in the outside world. They may not agree with us but they should at least be able to command the humble, loving, peaceful, giving, and kind attitude God’s word calls us to have. Be mindful of the influence your life has and strive to inspire the right things in the life of others. Live out the words of the Bible and cause others to glorify God by letting your good deeds shine before all people.
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