My life and your life may be the basis for someone forming an opinion of the church. What does the community where you live think of the church? Mahatma Gandhi is quoted as saying, “If Christianity ever hopes to take the world, those who profess it must start living like the Christ who founded it.” Many are “turned off” by hypocrisy; and others have been led to Christ because of the godly living of some Christian friend (I Pet. 3:1-2). Let’s examine a few passages that deal with our influence.
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” (Matt. 5:13). Christians are to be a preserving influence. In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus taught that our lives, lived properly before others, can influence them to “glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
We must exhibit love for our brethren before the world (John 13:35). We will be judged according to our actions toward others; Christ will be seen in us when we do good (Matt. 25:31-46). We must present unity before the world (John 17:20-21). Do we fuss and fight among ourselves? No one wants to be a part of a factious group. We need to use our influence to build up the church before the world instead of always being critical. A united church is a growing church and paints a great picture before the world.
We need to be walking “golden rules” (Matt. 7:12). We must be careful whom we follow (Matt. 23:3). And certainly we must be doers of the word (James 1:22-23). We must “practice what we preach.” Consistency is a powerful example for good. The Christian, at all times and in all circumstances, must follow the teachings and example of Christ (I Pet. 2:21). Can we say, like Paul, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (I Cor. 11:1)? Someone is following you. Where are you leading them?
Consider the influence of the early church in the Book of Acts. The church was received favorably (Acts 2:47). In a hostile situation, the disciples so conducted themselves as to attain favor among the people. Their conduct had impact (Acts 4:13). Their suffering for the cause of Christ had an influence for good (Acts 5:41-42). Persecutors could not understand this. The reputation of one church was known all over (I Thess. 1:28). A church that is working and growing has a great influence on the community; a dead church has influence in the opposite direction. Sardis was such a church (Rev. 3). A church that is interested in saving souls instead of saving money will influence the world for good.
Christians are to be examples (I Tim. 4:12). We must be a pattern in our speech (Matt. 12:36-37), our manner of life (Rom. 12:1-2), in our love (I Cor. 13), in faith (Heb. 11:6), and in purity (Matt. 5:8). We must be a pattern of good works (Titus 2:7-8), a pattern of sound doctrine (Jude 3), and sound in speech (Col. 4:6).
What are you teaching by your example? In what direction is your influence leading? The church is before the world, but not of the world (John 17). There is a great difference. May we always remember it!
Paul M. Wilmoth
(January 18, 1944 – April 5, 2021)