Imagine living in such proper and right way that you encourage others who aren't believers?
I believe that too often, we compromise our conduct as Christians because we want to please worldly people. For some reason, it's easier to give in than it is to stand up for ourselves. It's first nature almost to make others feel important before you stand up to Christ?
This reminds me of my first year in college. If 10 guys on the team were talking about things that were not Godly, it was easier for me to join them rather than standing up for myself and being firm in my faith.
I'll never forget when I met with a mentor of mine at the beginning of my junior year and he had told me that his college experience was similar...when he really made a commitment to keep Christ the number one priority in his life...it made him different. He went on to tell me that later on...years down the road...a former teammate reached out to him and told him that he wished he would've been like him at that point in their life.
I'm a big believer in the fact that if you live such a way that is glorifying to God, people who don't agree with you are going to notice and you are going to have an impact. NO matter what they say about it. Because trust me, most of the time they will still hate on you, make fun of you, say things to bring you down, but deep down, they're struggling with something and they want what you have.
A huge part of remaining level headed is empathy. You have to understand that everyone is going through something and we are not perfect. We aren't even close.
I wear a bracelet on my wrist that has Romans 14:11 on it. That verse talks about how every knee will bow before God someday. My bracelet is a reminder that I am no better and no worse than anyone else. It's a reminder that no matter what, we are all going to bow before God. Whether you have lived a life that is right in the eyes of God or one that hasn't pleased God.
I want to you to picture someone in your head...I want you to think of that person that you know who is an on fire person for Christ. They are always doing the right thing. They're always happy, loving, caring, outgoing. Almost to the point where it seems a little annoying! I know for me, I could identify 10 of those people when I first started at Bethel and I honestly was a little annoyed with how good of people they seemed like they were! I just didn't understand what made them so happy. Now I want to become that person and I am encouraging you to do the same. If I could, I would get in front of each one of those people and tell them that I wish I would've understood where they were coming from when I was their age.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds. (1 Peter 2:12)
Peter's advice in that verse sounds just like Jesus' in Matthew 5:16: If your actions are above reproach, even hostile people will end up praising God.
There are lies that are spread about Christians everyday. I would also not like to say that there are probably people who decide not to believe everyday as well.
Attractive, gracious, and upright behavior on the part of Christians could show all the lies and rumors to be false and even win some of the unsaved critics to the Lord's side.
Don't write off people because they misunderstand Christianity; instead, show them Christ by your life.
The day may come when those who criticize you will praise God with you.
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