I often mourn deep within when it seems too often there is very little visible difference in the behavior of "believers" and non-believers. I cringe when Christians embrace evil, especially while non-Christians are looking on.
A troubling quote by Brennan Manning is buried deeply in my brain:
"The single greatest cause of atheism today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."
A prayer Jesus prayed in John 17, is my prayer for us as believers, especially now as the Advent Season is underway. During Christmastime we have the greatest opportunities to shine His holiness -- loving God, loving others and being light in the darkness -- the opposite of embracing evil.
Who knows, maybe if we live what we say we believe, unbelievers will come to believe in our Christ of Christmas, simply and profoundly because our lifestyles undeniably transform from unbelievable to believable right in front of their ever-watching eyes.
Truly, we must be in the world, but not of the world. Let us be light and go shine, all the while, asking God to lead us not into temptation and to deliver us from evil for His is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Here’s the prayer Jesus prayed to the Father on our behalf, as true believing disciples of King Jesus: :
"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that You should take them out of the world, but that You would keep them from the evil." John 17:14-15
Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!
UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
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