The local Church needs help.

I’m not talking about one specific church, but the people that make up the Church. The Church has lost its purpose, its focus.  Now before you tune me out, bear with me.  Yes, most churches preach the truth about God, Jesus, and the Bible. But are Christians living out this truth?

We believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior, who DIED to save us from our sins so that we could live eternally with God our Father.   But if this is the truth, why do our lives and our Churches lack the passion and zeal, that such an awe-inspiring belief deserves.

People will not remember the words we say, but how those words made them feel.

Are we feeling our Faith?  Do we comprehend the power and magnitude of our Salvation?  Because our words and our lifestyle do not show it.  The most common accusations that people have of Christians is hypocrisy and being judgmental.  Now that is embarrassing!

How can we call ourself a Christian or the Church, if we are not living it?

Being a Christian, or Christ follower, is SO much more than going to Church on Sunday or being raised in a Christian home.  As a Christian, we are called to a life that represents Jesus Christ. To live by following His example. To live by following His teachings.

Every moment, we make a decision.  To follow Christ or not to follow Christ.

Many people may only come to know Christ through the actions we take.  Through the lives that we live.  Are you living a life that God is proud of?

Now, of course, we all sin, we all fail.  But its not about our failures, its about our efforts.  Our we making an effort to be an example of Christ?

What can we do to change that perspective people have about Christians? What are we doing in our everyday life, that could potentially come across as being a hypocrite or judging others?

• What about the words that come out of your mouth?  Are they crass, inappropriate, insensitive, or rude?  If you do not want your child to say it, then you probably should not being saying it either!  Swearing and perverted usage of words is extremely common in today’s world, but that does not mean they have be common in our vocabulary.  When we use these types of words, we are no longer representing God.

• Are you seen as a helpful person?  Or are you so focused on yourself, that you are oblivious to the needs around you?  There are so many opportunities every day for us to help someone else.  Whether that is helping carry a heavy load, or just listening to a friends frustrations.  This is an area that almost all of us could improve on.  I challenge you to find someway to help everyday, even if its just flashing a smile, it has the potential to brighten someone’s day!

• How would people describe your attitude? Loving, positive, and encouraging or bitter, pessimistic, and discouraging?  If people see us as the second, why would anyone want to be a Christian?  Let’s make sure that our attitude and the way we treat others, is how we would want to be treated.  Not only does our attitude have an affect on those around us, it also is the deciding factor on your day or life.

Each of us has the potential to be a better person in our life and in our walk with Christ.  The Church is defined by the Christians in it, not by the building. How can YOU make your life a better representation of what the Church should be known for?