THE WORLD DOES NOT KNOW US

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (1 John 3:1-2 ESV)

Christians have been given the right to become children of God by receiving Jesus and believing in Him. God has declared that He will be a Father to us. (2 Corinthians 6:18 ESV) Therefore, no one born of God keeps on sinning because the child of God practices righteousness. (1 John 3:9-10 ESV)

The world, however, sees something very different. The world of today is skeptical and indifferent about Christians and the Church. People have lost respect for church leaders. Many ask, “How can you trust the Clergy when they are involved in so many scandals?” The unchurched continue to see Christians as hypocrites. It is also clear that many within the Church are stumbling blocks for the unchurched.

Numerous studies have shown that many who claim to be born-again Christians fail to show transformed lives. More than any others, Christians should have a better understanding of morality since they have believed in Jesus as the sacrifice for their sins, and the Bible as their highest moral authority.

As Christians, we know that the minds of unbelievers have been blinded to the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV) We should not be surprised that the world hates us. (1 John 3:13 ESV) Jesus warned us:

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19 ESV)

I want to also point out another reason the world does not know us and hates us. It has to do with the way the messenger delivers and lives the message. Do you share the Word of God with love? Many non-Christians describe Christians as unsympathetic, sanctimonious, unforgiving, and narrow-minded. Do you think they believe this because of a personal experience or the way Christians are portrayed in the media? It seems that too often, it is because of personal experience.

Are you sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the way you live? Do your neighbors see your good works and glorify God? (Matthew 5:16 ESV) Unbelievers should also be able to tell we are Christians by our love for one another. (John 13:34-35 ESV) Are joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control obvious characteristics of your life-style? (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV) Are you known for speaking the truth in love? (Ephesians 4:15 ESV)

The world does not know us for the same reason it did not know Jesus Christ. However, we must all ask ourselves the question “Am I making it harder for people to know Jesus by the way I live?” Have we forgotten this wise command?

“But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16 ESV)

 

Almighty God,

I pray that my life and words would never be a stumbling block to others receiving the Gospel Message. Help me to practice righteousness in all my actions.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen