Jump Start # 721

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

It’s getting close to election time. Political ads dominate TV commercials. This year I have a sign in my yard for one of the presidential candidates. A neighbor across the street also has one. His sign is for the other candidate running for president. Everyone who drives up and down our streets can see those signs and make judgments about us. I have visibly declared who I am wanting to win the election. The rest of the neighbors do not have any signs. It’s a secret who they are supporting.

Once the election is over, I’ll be taking my sign down. Life will return to normal where all we do is notice each other’s yards and landscaping.

There is a greater declaration that we make and that is that we are disciples of Jesus. We do this not with yard signs, but with lifestyles and choices we make. People that see us ought to notice that we are Christians. This ought to be apparent to them.

First, neighbors ought to notice us leaving every Sunday morning for worship services. It’s pretty obvious to know that when you see a family dressed up, with Bibles in their hand getting into the car about the same time every Sunday. Neighbors notice.

Second, they ought to notice by the caring attitude that we have. Neighbors ought to see us helping others shovel snow, doing landscaping and being there for one another.

Third, they ought to notice that we have a lot of people over to our house. Christians engage in hospitality. They might notice people coming to our house carrying food and Bibles as we have a study in our home.

But it’s not just the neighbors who ought to see these things. The people at work ought to notice that you are a Christian. They’ll quickly detect that you don’t cuss. You don’t laugh at off color jokes. Monday’s are not spent telling of wild weekend drinking parties. They notice that you work hard. They notice you are willing to chip in and help others. Your work is honest and reflects quality. They see that you do not abuse the company by coming in late, asking to leave early or wasting time when you are at work. It shows. They notice a Bible at your desk. It’s not hidden. Sitting there, it makes a statement. It’s like a political sign in your yard. People will make judgments because they see a Bible on your desk.

Family will notice that you are a Christian. Holiday times brings families together. Negative talk, gossip, mean spirited conversations can be the norm at some of these gatherings. Family will notice that you don’t go along with those things. They notice that you don’t try to show off and impress others by the “stuff” you own. That’s not you. They notice that you don’t brag about yourself as the rest do. You are different.

Finally, people notice how you conduct yourself in a crisis. The emergency room, the funeral home are times when we lean upon our hope and faith in God. This calm hope shines. They notice. Peter says that they may ask about that hope in us. That’s good.

I’m not ashamed to have a political sign in my yard. My neighbors know who I am voting for. I have publicly declared. I am not ashamed that the world knows that I am a Christian. I have declared myself and am trying to publicly show it.

Public declaration of our allegiance is letting your light shine. Shine it bright. Shine it for all to see. Shine it in such a way that others will want to learn more about Jesus.

Roger