“O Israel,” says the Lord, “if you wanted to return to me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. Then when you swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’ you could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness. then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all the people would come and praise my name.” -Jeremiah 4: 1-2

When I was Agnostic, there were a few Christians around me who I really respected and admired for their character.

Whenever I was around them, I could feel the love of Christ radiating out of them, and they made me feel good.

They treated me with true grace, kindness, love, compassion, empathy, and understanding; they were blessings to my soul.

And as I reflect on them years later, these are the same people who I recall intently studying Scripture and carving out private time with God.

Because they chose to abide in Christ and not stray from His Word, they were able to bless me.

So we must ask ourselves: What do others feel when they are around us?

If we were to take a survey, would people say that we make them feel comfortable, loved, understood, cared for, etc?

Or would they call us hypocrites? Uncaring? Self-centered? Judgmental? Someone who can quote Scripture, but doesn’t actually embody the spirit of Christ?

Is it evident in the daily course of our lives that we truly love God, His Word, and His Way?

Our great commission is to effectively share the gospel, and the only way we can do that is through worshipping and studying in sincerity and truth.

None of us are really chomping at the bit to analyze our shortcomings, but if we don’t honestly evaluate ourselves, how can we ever be the light that God has called us to be?

We have to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and return to Him daily.

Because when we do, everyone around us will be blessed, and those who don’t know God will have the opportunity to discover how beautiful and wonderful it is to have a relationship with Christ.

Be blessed,

Alexia

Prayer: God, I pray that you would fill me with your Holy Spirit right now. Give me a desire to run after your heart and your Word like your servant David so I may worship in truth. Fill me with your light so that others will notice and praise your name. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.