“And he stripped off his clothes also; and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets” – 1 Samuel 19:24 (KJV).
The world around us knows the kind of lifestyle and character expected of the worshippers of God. They observe our lives as we live from day to day. They see us in our offices and business centers. They observe how we talk and how we treat people. They may not read the bible but they were not surprised to see Samuel Prophesy, they expect him to do so. They will not be surprised or shocked to see David prophesy, but the same people were so shocked to see Saul prophecy. It was so abnormal because his life was a contradiction. The same question is commonly asked today to ridicule believers whose lifestyles do not agree with true Christian conduct. Are people shocked at seeing you carry the bible or preach the gospel? Are they likely to say “our guess is right, we know he must have been with Jesus or are they embarrassed seeing you associate with Christ because of the negative traits? Are they likely to express surprise that you are preaching the gospel?
In this age where everyone is a Christian in church but most people are opposite outside the church, the tendencies are there for people to ask questions. In this age of compromise where people act like saints in church and among fellow Christians but live like the devil in their offices, business centers and on the street there is the likelihood that unbelievers who observe them in the market places will ask, “are these ones also Christians?” We should so live our lives outside the church in the weekdays that the world around us will see the light.
Years back, I had a member of our church who was always quarrelling with her roommate in school. They would quarrel and fight on weekly basis. The unbelieving roommate got fed up that she came and reported the member to me that she was not representing the church in good light. I tried to wield into the matter but I observed that my member was not ready to apply the Christian teachings in her relationship. One day, the same unbelieving roommate came to church. I was shocked to see her in church. I thought she had come to report again but this time around, the life of another member who was in the same department with her has so influenced her that she followed her to the same church. She eventually gave her life to Jesus and became a committed member of the church.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to so live that my life will draw people into your kingdom.
Rev. Vincent Diolu