Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!  Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  Beloved, now we are children of God: and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when His is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.  Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.  And you know that He is manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.  Whoever abides in Him does not sin.  Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.  Little children, let no one deceive you.  He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.  He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning.  For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil  1 John 3:2-8

It is hard to say to someone who does not have a relationship with God, “My Dad owns the cattle on a thousand hills”.  How am I  to express the joy which surpasses all understanding without sounding like a nutcase, or worse yet some sort of disconnected braggadocio?  This is where most of my friends just try and blend, covering their light with a hat or poncho, hoping desperately that no one discovers they are Christian.  I guess the logic is that I have things covered and relations with the world are tolerable, so I will just keep things friendly, waiting for that golden opportunity to share my testimony, when the light, weather, timing and wind are just right.  Need I poke holes in this perspective?

If I don’t tell them will they know?  Perhaps it is the great big, “I walk with Jesus” on the front of my hat that gives me away?  Can the average unbeliever, who knows just enough about Christians to think them all hypocrites, absolutely see that I am a believer without me ever discussing my walk? Is it essential, to the world, that we be known as Christians?  Do people avoid you because they are so afraid of having a discussion about faith, then they probably know you’re a Christian?  Do they dislike you without ever having the opportunity to know the first thing about your life or personality, then they probably know that you’re Christian?  Do they try and provoke you into making intolerant statements about homosexuality, sin outside of marriage, abortion or mock Jesus to see if they can make you lose your cool?  Then they most likely know that you are Christian.  Do they come to you when tragedy strikes or their lives are out of control, seeking a little encouragement and direction?  Do I represent righteousness in all things, at all times?

There needs to be clear evidence of our faith, especially if our discipleship plan requires that an unbeliever come to us for the good news.  Let’s face it, even with that clear recognition of our Christian Faith, it is highly unlikely the lost will come to us for testimony.  Most of the time they will go out of their way to avoid that type of conversation, unless we give them reason otherwise.  That is why it is such a balance this life we have been commanded to live.  We must risk the repercussions of discipleship, especially with those with whom we have consistent and regular contact.  The Lord said that friendship with the world is enmity with God, so we cannot simply hope to keep things copacetic.  We are ambassadors for Christ and just as any envoy worth their salt we must prepare for and capitalize upon every opportunity to effectively share the Gospel.  We don’t know when the opportunities will either run out or pass us by.  Perhaps the one time that you demanded purity of yourself, will have the greatest impact on the world around you.

I hope that your lives bare fruit, resembling the characteristics of the Holy Spirit.  I pray that unbelievers seek you out in those moments where their soil is prepared for the seed of God’s Word.  I hope that they consider you “the Christian in the room” when it comes to questions of Righteousness and opportunities to defend the Faith.  But remember Jesus is God, and He still went out on the road looking for contact with unbelievers.  He never stayed at the synagogue, or at home, or simply cohabited with friends because that is not where unbelievers reside.  We must stay vigilant in our quest to fulfill the great commission.  It requires that we remain prepared and at the ready for opportunities to lead others to Christ.  It is a balancing act this relationship with the World.  I pray that you have considered and prayed about the right balance between walking in faith and simply residing in the grace of your own salvation.