I was out for an early morning drive when my mind began to wander to something I later found to be quite profound.
While I drove, I passed the home of someone I knew. My mind went to a conversation I had recently had with a friend concerning this person. This friend had told me she was a devout Christian. Something I never knew.
While driving I thought about the several encounters I had with this woman. I realized that not one of those encounters would lead me to think she was a Christian. She had not even been kind in a way that would cause me to think she knew God. That was sad to me.
My thoughts then went to another person I know. I thought about how they dealt with people. I wondered if the people they dealt with would ever believe they not only know God, but seek God on a daily basis.
While realizing I did not see Jesus in the first person I mentioned. And the fact that people probably don’t see Jesus in the other person I spoke of, I wondered…do they see Jesus in me?
Galatians 5:22 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control . . . “ (NKJV).
Our lives should exemplify these things. People will know us by our fruits. Are we producing fruit?
The question is…”Do people see Jesus in us?”
Jesus is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control. If we are not bearing fruit in these areas, then people are not seeing Christ in us.
Matthew 7:16-17 says, “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.”
While continuing to ponder on this truth for the remainder of the day, I realized, there are many people I know, who are Christians, that do not bear the fruit of Christ. This saddens me.
However, the question that is burning in my soul is this; “Do people see Christ in me?”
Do they look at me and think… “There is something different about her.” Do they see me as kind, gentle or someone of self-control.
Even if they don’t know what it is, is it evident enough to make them see there is a difference. I certainly hope so.
Friends, it is no time to play church. We are not to be like the world. We are to come out from among them and be separate. We are to look different. To behave different. To respond different. There should be a light about us – that draws people to Jesus.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want anyone to say or think about me… “I didn’t know she was a Christian, you would never know by the way she acts.”
Today, as you go about your day, take notice of yourself. Are you behaving Christ-like? Is your light shining? Are you at peace? Are you walking in love? Are you humble? Are you kind? Do people see Jesus in you? Or would they be shocked to learn you know God?
Are you joining in conversations of gossip that you know you shouldn’t? Are you being critical or judgmental? Are you responding to challenging situations in a calm, godly manner? Do people see Jesus in you?
This question has given me a lot to think on this week. I am thankful that God is once again, doing a deep work in me. One that will cause people to see more of Him in me…how about you?
Meditate on this:
By this we know that we are in Him: Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked. 1 John 2:5-6
