This is a fair question. Why would anyone want to meet the Jesus you know? What does the world see, your unsaved friends see, when they see you or your church?My pastor was telling me this week about a lady who said she was a Christian, she loved Jesus, but didn’t go to church. When asked why she said it was because Christians seem to hate each other. No one gets along.

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

It’s bad enough that one denomination has no tolerance for others, but within a church, generally speaking, there are bitter politics, power struggles, and dissension. We forget that other people see this and it does not draw them to the Lord.

I’ve been through some tough times in my life, devastating times, and I learned afterward that people were watching how I responded. They wanted to see what my faith was made of. I am thankful that I seemed to pass the various tests. People saw that my faith was strong enough to get me through those “hellish” times that visit all of us.

People who know me know that I tend to be intellectual and love to talk deep theology. This is why I have few friends (LOL). God gave me a good mind and I use it, but not everyone is there and that is ok.

It is interesting that back in the late 1980s I was going through a real trial. Knowing my theological bent they asked me, “Were you drawn more to the Calvinistic God or the Arminian God?” I said, “Neither, all I knew was that God was there.” In times like that theology won’t save you. Only God can.

Hope this encourages you to watch your witness because others are watching you. Remember what St. Francis said, “Preach the Gospel and if necessary use words.”

…”but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” (I Peter 3:15)