CHRISTIANS ARE LIVING EPISTLES OF CHRIST

Jesus Christ declared, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5)  Nevertheless, in anticipation of his death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus deliberately transferred his ‘lighthouse duties’ to present and future generations of Christian disciples.  Now, He admonished, “ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14)

The Apostle Paul offers a similar illustration in his letter to the church of Corinth, Greece.  In his words, anyone who serves as a committed disciple of Christ becomes a living “epistle” (or letter) that is “read” constantly by others.

II Corinthians 3:2-3

² Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

³ Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

Question:  Is your life reflective of the true image of Christ…or does your life offer one more reason for the world not to believe the saving message of the gospel?  Consider this story.

Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas.  Some weeks after he arrived, he had occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.  When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much in change.  

As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, “You’d better give this quarter back.  It would be wrong to keep it.”  Then he thought, “Oh forget it, it’s only a quarter.  Who would worry about this little amount?  Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it.  Accept it as a ‘gift from God’ and just keep quiet.”

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, “Here, you gave me too much change.”

The driver, with a smile, replied, “Aren't you the new preacher in town?”

“Yes” the new minister answered.

“Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship.  I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change.  I’ll see you in church on Sunday!”

When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, looked upward to Heaven and said, “Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter!”

Bottom line: Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read.  This is an actual example of how closely people watch us as Christians, and how they might put us to the test!  So always be on guard -- and remember -- you carry the name of Christ on your shoulders whenever you call yourself “Christian.”

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Being a Christian is a whole lot like being on Candid Camera. When you least expect it, you’re elected…so always expect it!   And smile…you’re on Candid Camera!

Believers, we must live in THE LIGHT…and always walk in THE LIGHT…so that the gospel will be affirmed and confirmed by our lives and our lifestyles.  Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!