Christian Living

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What Do You Believe?

I did not believe it until I came and my eyes had seen. Behold, the half was not told me. You have added wisdom and goodness exceeding the fame I heard. – 1 Kings 10:7 (AMP)

Have you seen? Have you heard? Did you know? It’s remarkable! That was so good. It’s absolutely incredible! You are never going to believe this! I can’t wait to hear what you think about it! Wasn’t that the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen? You have GOT to try it!

These are all phrases that we either use or encounter, oftentimes on a daily basis. But let’s be realistic here. How many times have you heard one of these descriptions, itching to hear, see or try whatever it was, only to be disappointed? If only we could get a refund from the person who recommended it to begin with!

Exaggeration, simply put, representing something to the excessive.

As a Christian, do you live a life of exaggeration? Now this is not to be confused with animation, as in someone is very animated (alive; full of movement) in how the act or speak. Exaggerated, as in, that steak was the size of Texas.

I do not believe that exaggeration is a bad thing. However, I find that over-exaggeration can lead to some very damaging results.

Like everyone, as Christians, we can sometimes let our excitement or our desire to produce results that cross over into over-exaggeration. How so?

Maybe your Church is one that puts on the yearly Easter production that brings droves to town. Your enthusiasm is uncontainable and you are pouring all over your unsaved co-workers, telling them how their lives will be forever changed if the just attend.

Does it sound a little bit like the latest wonder drug diet pill being advertised on every media outlet? How often do they work? And how do you get lasting results with any diet? Consistent lifestyle change is the answer. You know where the infomercial has Christians beat? They offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee.

Enthusiasm, excitement and encouraging people to join us in fellowship are all wonderful things. But only half is being told.

You can never over-exaggerate the blessing and favor of God. However, if you are conveying a message of a God that just pours out abundantly, with no requirement of obedience that is another story.

Why is this so dangerous? Because you can leave people worse off than you found them. Think about the empty promise of the newest diet wonder drug, “Eat all you want and still lose the weight”. Hmmm.

What is your life message conveying to people around you? How does your life represent God? What is your relationship with Christ showing others?

Why is it that there seems to be one side or the other? Either Christians are represented as perfect creatures that have it all together or they are defeated under the burden of the cross that we have to bear to be like Jesus?

Speaking from a personal level, I am not perfect. I have the same emotions, problems to face, dishes to wash, toilets to clean, meals to cook, bills to pay, valleys to tread and mountains to climb. I still live in this world. The difference is now Him, not me, Him.

I don’t have to prove Him to others, He proves Himself to others through me. But He can only do that, if my life is wholly yielded to Him. I don’t have to “be” anyone else to Him, other than I am. He already knows.

God never asks us to put on a show. God will show Himself regardless of what you and I do. That is just a fact. But He cannot show Himself through you if you are unwilling to let people really see who or where you are.

The truth is simply that our words will never be enough to adequately describe Who He is let alone over exaggerate Him. But our lives should be a constant flow of His presence in us.

The Queen of Sheba traveled because of what she had heard. When she got there, she was not disappointed. As a matter of fact, it exceeded the fame she had heard! The half had not been told to her! And what was the end result? She believed because her eyes had seen.

People are always listening. The world and the Church alike have marketing degrees to tell people exactly what they want to hear. But remember, people are always watching too.

Where are you today? Are you willing to let people see who you really are and what you have to face? Are you willing to let your life represent that you don’t have all the answers, but you know someone Who does.

Don’t feed into the empty promises of infomercial Christianity. Live the truth.

Life is not perfect, but He is. Trials, tribulations, distresses and frustrations come, but He has overcome them (John 16:33).

It is at this point, that people will really be able to see Jesus. Then will your life truly bear witness to what you say that you believe.

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