Behave Like A Christian

Alba 5-15-2022

BEHAVE LIKE A CHRISTIAN

Romans 12:9-21

A lady was soaking up the sun’s rays on a Florida beach when a little boy in his swimming trunks, carrying a towel, came up to her and asked her, “Do you believe in God?”

She was surprised by the question but replied, “Why, yes, I do.” Then he asked her: “Do you go to church every Sunday?” Again, her answer was “Yes!” Then he asked, “Do you read your Bible and pray every day?” Again she said, “Yes!”

But by now her curiosity was very much aroused. At last the boy sighed and said, with obvious relief, “Will you hold my quarter while I go in swimming?”

Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone had the faith in Christians that this little boy had?

Lee Strobel was a reporter for the Chicago Tribune who began attending a church in the early ‘80s in an effort to appease his newly converted wife.

In Strobel’s insightful book, “Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary,” Lee recalls: “When I walked into church as a skeptical unbeliever, my ‘hypocrisy antenna’ was scanning the place for signs that people were just playing church.”

He continues: “In fact, I was aggressively on the lookout for phoniness, opportunism, or deception, because I felt that if I could find an excuse for rejecting the church on grounds of hypocrisy, I could feel free to reject Christianity as well.”

So, there we have it straight from a skeptic. He was looking for something real; something authentic. Thankfully he later saw the reality of faith and he became a Christian.

But we must be aware that there are people who have the uncanny ability to check out what is real and what isn’t.

Christianity isn’t something to do on the weekend, or occasionally. Our devotion to Christ and following Him isn’t supposed to be just a part of our lives, it is to be our lives, lived daily.

What people see us do is important. Christians not only need to “look good,” we need to “be good.” We need to behave like a Christian in a world that is looking for authentic faith.

How can we live a Christian life and not conform to the walk and way of the world? Romans chapter 12 is really a commentary on how Christians ought to behave.

Romans 12:9-21 calls each of us to take personal responsibility for our actions. The appeal is made based on all the mercies that we have received from the hand of a loving God.

Here is what we need to do to behave like a Christian. Turn to Romans 12:9-21.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

In these verses we find guidelines for living as a redeemed people in a fallen world. Since we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ; saved by His grace and empowered by His Holy Spirit, we should do our best to follow these guidelines.

In these verses we are told to love, and not be hypocrites but show true brotherly love. We are to serve the Lord. We are to have hope even in times of trouble. We are to be people of prayer and care about others, sharing in their need.

As an example of Christ-like love we are to show kindness to those who mistreat us. We are to be humble, and not be high-minded.

Our intention should be to look for the good in all people, and strive for peace with others. And if someone does take advantage of us or mistreat us, we are not to try to get back at them. God will take care of that.