“But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him. So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. Mark 3:7-10 NKJ
Imagine what it would be like if Jesus walked the earth today healing the sick, casting out demons, delivering the oppressed, and preaching the Good News! He would have more Paparazzi following Him around than any Hollywood star could ever think of having. He would be drawing crowds greater than any music group could fathom. He would be written up in every magazine and featured on every television station around the world. Some would love Him and some would hate Him. Some would praise His works and some would criticize them. But you have to admit His life would draw the attention of the world! Though they may give negative reports, the evidence of His life and work would speak for itself. And He wouldn’t be doing these acts for the praise and attention of man; He would be doing them because it is what the Father told Him to do.
With this in mind my question to all of us is: What kind of buzz has our Christian life created in our world that would make people take notice of Christ in us? Are the identifying character traits of Christ evident to the people around us? Is the fruit of the Spirit being manifested in our lives and are people asking us why we are so full of love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness? Are we so faithful and self –controlled that people want to know how we do it? Is the miraculous power of God working through us and are the lives of people we come into contact with, being changed? Is the Paparazzi following the lives of people in Christianity, and if so, what are they reporting?
The answer is that the Paparazzi are following people in the Christian faith but unfortunately there is more bad press being reported, than good press. Not only are the Paparazzi following the Christian faith but researchers are as well. The divorce rate in the church is now at the same rate as the world. (Barna Group) The sexual abuse rate in Christian homes is overwhelming. ("Sexual Abuse in Christian Homes and Churches" by Carolyn Holderread Heggen) Today’s Christian teens are almost equal to non-Christian teens when it comes to engaging in risky behavior. (Barna Group) There are many more reports being published by researchers and the Paparazzi are reporting every negative finding as well. With this understanding it is important for us to spend time asking the Lord to help us turn things around. It is possible but it is going to take a concentrated effort on all of our parts to do it. We start within our own homes and then branch out into our neighborhoods, cities, states, and then the world.
We have the message of hope within us, Jesus Christ, and that message needs to be displayed in our lives for the world to see, if we are going to make an impact in the world. Remember what the Apostle Paul said in Colossians 1:27, “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Can you see it? So how do we accomplish this mission? First we follow what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:4-7. He said, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
We also must embrace our identity as new creations in Christ! We must reject the lies of the enemy and our own minds that tell us we are no good and have no chance at making an impact on the world for the Gospel’s sake. We seek God for guidance and align ourselves with the truth of His Word, remembering His promise in Isaiah 55:11-12. “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. “ For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” God does perform His Word in our lives as we walk in it.
It is important to understand that as long as we are on the earth we will face persecution, but when we are persecuted it should be for righteousness sake, not for evidence based on facts. In Matthew 5:10-11 Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” The Paparazzi and researchers will give bad reports but it is best if those reports cannot be substantiated. I want to encourage you to meditate in the Word and prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to grant you wisdom and understanding in these areas. Ask Him to reveal how you can become a witness whose testimony gets noticed. He is faithful and He will answer your prayers.
Prayer: Your Word says that as You are in Heaven so am I on this earth, so let my life be a living example of your power and greatness. As I meditate on Your character let me be a reflection of it to those around me. Help me to understand what Christ in me the hope of glory really means. I praise You for continually reminding me of who I am in You and for entrusting me with the message of the Gospel. Amen
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