Even though I am not responsible for the actions of others, it grieves my heart when I see the actions and words of us as Christians as being less than honorable; especially when non-Christians are observing.
We are not perfect, but only by the grace of God we are forgiven, and made holy in Christ. But the world does not understand that concept!
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Ephesians 1:7, 8
“But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'” I Peter 1:15-16
At my place of work, they have gone to the trouble of removing all of the graffiti on the bathroom stalls and walls. All the remarks, curse words, and other inflammatory things were finally removed from the walls, stalls, and doors.
Side note:
Have you ever noticed that people who write graffiti are usually extremely terrible when it comes to their spelling and grammar?! Why is that? Good grief!
Back to the story:
For those students who were not aware of proper behavior, they have even posted Student Rules of Conduct in plexiglass holders outlining the punishment for defacing the doors and walls. Well, all was well… for about two weeks.
And then suddenly yesterday, on one of the freshly painted stall walls, brand new graffiti appeared – and it was SCRIPTURE! The writer scribbled out the whole chapter about love (I Corinthians, chapter 13), but did not reference where the scripture came from. As if that act of defacement was not bad enough, someone else jotted down right next to it, “Rock on! That’s in II Chronicles!” Then a third person wrote something about “You hypocrite Christians, blankety, blank, blank etc….”
Good grief! I ruminated on that for the rest of the day. And here it is pouring forth today to you:
Okay people, I guess the first two scribblers’ hearts were in the right place. I assume the first person wanted to share the Word of God, and the second person, was trying to validate her words…but on a bathroom wall? Is an act of defacing an institution, in clear violation, and in view of the posted Rules of Conduct using wisdom? Will that actually make non-Christians see us (with the action of defacing the wall) in a positive way? It does not seem that way in this case by reading the comment left by the third scribbler. This negative view of Christians was possibly spread and appreciated by hundreds of others who used this stall viewing this dialogue exchange.
If we are not sure how to act or respond or how to share God’s Word, we need to stop and think and ask ourselves,
C’mon, as radical as Jesus was for His time, do you think He’d deface public property to write His Word upon? All in the name of bringing others to the realization of who He is? Stopping to think what Jesus would do (in alignment with the scriptures) will always give you an answer. Trust me- graffiti on a bathroom wall (of all places) is not one of the things Jesus would do! Ask for His wisdom! He tells us that if we ask He will give it to us!
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
Only God knows if someone will read the scripture placed there on the bathroom wall, and be moved steps towards Him before it is removed from the wall. After all, God’s Word does not go out and return to Him void. It did manage to stir me enough after weeks of inactivity to write this blog about Christian conduct and common sense…something that evidently needs to be said from time to time. Just remember, we know that we are not perfect- but they don’t. Don't destroy your mature Christian witness in front of nonbelievers, and baby Christians. We should be careful in how we present ourselves in everything that we do, because the bottom line is, it is not about us, but it is about the Glory of God.
“Be careful, however that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” I Corinthians 8:9
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” I Corinthians 12:26
“May God Himself, the God peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” I Thessalonians 5:23, 24
Amen? Amen. \0/
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