PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• As Christians, we are called to be set apart.
The way we speak, the way we act, even what we say and post on social media.
And I wonder…
Does my testimony completely overwhelm and flood my life?
Does my love for Jesus reflect in everything I do?
Am I using every opportunity to let the love of Christ shine through me?
It’s easy to be critical of others, but do I use that same critical eye on myself?
Do I let the Holy Spirit convict my heart of my own shortcomings?
When other Christians act in a less-than-Christian way, how should I respond?
Am I ever ashamed of being a Christian?
I wish I could boldly answer every time with, “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, with Christ-like love, and never!”
But I know I can’t make that claim.
In 2 Timothy 1:8-9 and 12b, Paul wrote, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began…But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”
If we believe in the amazing grace and salvation Jesus offers, then we should strive to answer those questions with “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, with Christ-like love, and never!” anytime we face them.
We won’t do it perfectly, but the Holy Spirit will guide us.
As Paul said, God has “called us to a holy calling.”
Holy doesn’t mean perfect; it means set apart.
We should never ever be ashamed of how being a Christian makes us different in the eyes of the world.
We have our perfect God to answer to and no one else.
So in all we do, we should let the light of Jesus shine, even if the temptation is to reserve our faith for Sunday at church.
Because a Christian life is a 24/7 thing.
Today, as you pray, thank God for His calling to be set apart.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be a holy, set apart, and unashamed example of a life being lived for Jesus.
Ask Him to empower you to live your testimony faithfully, every day.
2 Responses
Excellent as always, Denise. This reminds me also of a story I read somewhere : Linda claimed to be a born again Christian, and claimed to be ‘on fire ‘ for the Lord. However, when Linda was out in public, she was always frowning, and scowling.
Finally, her friend from church confronted her and said to her : “Linda, if Jesus has entered your heart, please inform your face ! ?
I love that!