As many know, I am an avid reader. My main focus is on non-fiction, specifically theology, however, every now and then I will relax with a good story, which I have not done so in a while. Some time ago I was reading a book entitled “Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Religion”, written and edited by Daniel K Judd. Essentially, it is a series of Yes and No questions, with two essays regarding each question, one explaining why the answer is Yes, and another explaining why the answer is No. In answer to one of the questions the editor, regarding the Yes answer, quotes an anonymous author of “The Letter to Diognetus” written in the second century to explain to a pagan reader the way it is with these odd people called Christians. Here is the quote:
“Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by either country, speech, or customs. They do not live in cities of their own; they use no particular language; they do not follow an eccentric manner of life. They reside in their own countries, but only as alien citizens; they take part in everything as foreigners. Every foreign country is their homeland, and every homeland a foreign country. They obey the established laws, but in their own lives they go beyond the law, In a word, what the soul is in the body, that Christians are in the world. The soul dwells in the body but does not belong to the body; just so Christians live in the world but are not of the world.”
What amazes me about this quote is the Christians of that day stood out from the world. Yes, they lived in this world, but it was quite obvious they were different from most others. They lived in this world but did not act as the world acted. They were clearly from a different place. The Christians did not have to say anything for it was apparent from their actions they were strangers in this world, living among them without adopting their ways.
When non-Christians look at professing Christians today, would they write the same type of letter to their peers, those questioning the truth of Christianity? I would like to say definitely yes, but I have to say with sadness it depends on the person professing Christianity. There are people who live their lives with conviction and total commitment to God. They are a testimony to the Lordship of Christ. To them, church is a special time of fellowship with God first, and everyone and everything else secondary. They immerse themselves in the worship and praise of God, not thinking of themselves and what they are getting out of it. Their complete focus is lifting up and declaring the majesty and greatness of our Creator and Savior. Spending time with Him is a privilege and not a duty. Putting others first is the natural order of things, sacrificing for the betterment of others being just a normal way of life. Essentially, they are someone who is a true light in the darkness of this world.
Unfortunately, there are many who claim they are Christians without a commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. They go to church; however their hearts are far from God. They are focused on what they can get from rather than what they can give to God. Worship is something that makes them feel good and entertains them. They have separated their lives into two components; the religious and their real lives (I chose these words deliberately). They do the Christian stuff because it is what is expected, however, if it gets in the way of their real life, it will be set aside. They focus on worldly, but not necessarily sinful, activities and interests with little thought of the omnipotent and omnipresent God. If they give to others, it is for their satisfaction ahead of the benefit of the recipient, however, they will never admit this even to themselves. In other words, they may be someone who cannot be distinguished from the darkness that surrounds them.
For many years, my life resembled the second person, the one not committed to Christ, but still claiming to be a Christian. As a child, I did not know the difference because this was how I was taught, not by any formal training, but by the lives I observed from those in the church I attended while growing up. I saw a person who would sing hymns on Sunday, yet as my boss, cursed me out during the week when I did not do my job to his satisfaction. I heard people gossiping and back-biting during fellowship times, while others complained because the service was not as good as they thought it would be. I could describe more, but I will stop here.
It was not until I became desperate for the reality of God that He took hold of me, showing me I was not truly saved, revealing Himself to me such that I could not resist His call. I was in the Air Force and was turned in for drug usage. At that point He made it clear that I was not a true Christian either, but merely a hypocrite. In reality I was just like everyone I remembered while growing up, claiming to be a Christian while living a totally opposite life. And after truly giving my life completely to Him, God led me to a church, The Rock Church in Homestead FL which taught me all about true Christianity and how to really live it out. Edward Bez, the Pastor of the Rock Church, taught and encouraged everyone to examine our lives which would help us know if we are living as a true Christian, and not just during services, but also in various Bible studies throughout the week. And we should be open to hearing from God regarding areas in our lives that do not shine a light in a dark world. This is critical, for if we do not show our obedience to God and our love for Him and everyone else, why should the world listen to us? In the gospel of Mark we read the following,
“One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31.
People need to hear and see the reality of the Christian life lived out in us, not a caricature of it. Why would they listen to us if what we are sharing with them we ourselves are not following? For if we do not believe and live it out, why should they? If we do not love God with all we are, why should they? And if we do not love others as we love ourselves, why should they? The world needs to see true Christianity lived out like the anonymous writer above sees it.
“The soul dwells in the body but does not belong to the body; just so Christians live in the world but are not of the world.“
We should not be as one who camouflages themselves to look like the world so that we are accepted. Our calling as Christians is to go far beyond that.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.
God has called us to go out and spread the good news of Christ, and present the salvation He has provided us, to all. And it is absolutely essential that we walk the walk as well as talk the talk. If they see we do not live it out, they could think, ‘Why should I then if they do not?” Our lives are just as important, if not more a testimony of the truth, as the words we speak. We must present the gospel not just through words, but also in the way we live our lives. People must see us living it out or they may not believe and accept it. If we truly believe it, then we must show it through our actions. This is what made the difference with Jesus during His life, the apostles after Jesus’ death and resurrection, and what will make a huge difference in the lives of those we come into contact with. We must understand that the role of a witness is to testify to the truth of the Gospel through both words and deeds, reflecting the transformative power of Christ in our everyday lives. And this is why the Christians back in the second century had a powerful impact, and it is how we can have a powerful impact today. If we do not live the truth we preach, then I am afraid if someone were to write the same letter today as was written in the 2nd century, it might sound more like the following:
“Most Christians are not distinguishable from the rest of humanity.”
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