Some of God’s amazing creations are animals that are masters of disguise. They become undercover agents, hiding their true nature so expertly, blending into their surroundings so completely, that it can be difficult to find them. For example, take a look at the above picture. Look carefully, can you spot the animal?
Did you know it’s not just animals that can hide who they are?
So can Christians.
I get it. It’s easier not to stand out in a crowd. So when our non-Christian friend makes a joke that would make the angels blush, we laugh. When our non-Christian family starts passing out alcohol like candy, we drink. When our religious church group goes to an R-rated movie that features nudity and sex, we buy the popcorn. We make a thousand different compromises every day just so that the world will like us.
I get it. It feels great to fit in with the crowd.
But we forget that Christ died not so we could be the same as the world, but so we could be different. Our lives are supposed to be pointing others to Him. How will they see Christ if our lives don’t reflect anything that Christ says we should be?
Paul got it. He wrote to the church in 1 Thessalonians 1:5:
“…because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you.”
The church in Thessalonica knew that Paul was a Christian because he lived like a Christian. He didn’t just mouth the words on a Sunday morning then live like a heathen the next day. For Paul, being a Christ-follower wasn’t just a pit stop, or a religious exercise, or a way to make himself feel good, it was a lifestyle. He made the choice, every day, to live his life in such a way that there was no doubt Who he followed.
Instead of following the crowd, he pointed the crowd toward Jesus Christ.
You say that you’re a Christian. But does your life confirm or contradict what you say you believe? Can other people see Christ in your life, like Paul, or have you blended so well with the world, like the Baron Caterpillar, that it’s difficult to find where the world ends and Christ begins?
Did you like this post? Please leave a comment, or consider sharing it with your friends using one of the handy little buttons below. Want to get new posts delivered to your email? Subscribe by clicking on the link in the sidebar. Be blessed!