I have been absolutely loving my journey through God’s Word this week.  Right now I am immersed in the book of Luke, and the words of Jesus are having a profound impact on me.  One passage got me thinking today about a pet peeve of mine, or should I say, a sorrow in my heart. 

I know some people who call themselves Christians and are always willing to boldly defend Jesus until they are blue in the face, but deny Him with their lifestyle.  I would rather be a Christian who does not feel the need to get into fierce arguments to ‘prove’ God but to reflect Him with my lifestyle. 

I am not claiming to be a perfect Christian; I know full well that I fall short all the time.  But I know people who justify their lifestyle of careless sin by participating in a few religious debates every now and then.  As long as they ‘defend’ God with their words, they can live however they want and still call themselves Christ followers. 

Here is a challenge for those of you who like to debate: stay silent on issues of faith and watch if people can notice yours through the way you live.  If they don’t, you have no right to be debating in the first place.

In Luke 6 Jesus Himself says this:

So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?  I will show you what it is like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it.  It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock.  When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm because it is well built.  But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation.  When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.

Last week Taiwan was hit by Typhoon Morakot.  The clip below is a good reminder for all of us to build a strong foundation.  How do we do that?  Through obedience to the One we claim to love.

Michelle