Have you ever been in a strange place and unable to understand directions from a local citizen? It’s a rather helpless feeling to receive directions, follow them to the best of your ability, and wind up even more lost than when you started. (GPS is a lifesaver, isn’t it?) On the other hand, isn’t it a relief when the person says, “I am going that direction; why don’t you just follow me?”
Jesus wanted His followers to lead people through life rather than simply give them directions and turn them loose to fend for themselves. Ufortunately, not all people provide the right pathway. In Matthew 23:2-3 Jesus said, The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. The old saying, 1: I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day” is as appropriate today as it would have been 2,000 years ago. The religious leaders of the day sought to bind things on people but did not do them themselves. They actually provided a poor example of a spiritual walk.
One of our main reasons for living right (from the heart) is that we might bring glory to God. We want people to see how we live for Jesus and follow us as we follow Jesus. There is probably plenty of truth in the notion that the main cause of atheism is Christians not living what they profess.
What kind of example do you provide today? If someone followed you, where would they end up? Are you telling people one thing but not living it yourself? Or, do you strive to live out your faith in holiness and love? We don’t simply want to give people directions – we want to lead
them (by our Christian example) to Jesus and on to heaven as we walk in the light ourselves.
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew.5:1
…Mike