I was just thinking about a phrase I’ve heard many times ¾ “I would rather see a sermon than hear one.” I’m not referring to sermons by pastors and evangelists in this column. I am addressing the testimonies and influences of believers and church members. Unbelievers and young believers expect Christians to “walk the walk.” Without the walk, neither family, friends, nor foes will see the Savior in the believer.
In addressing the Church at Colossae, the apostle Paul wrote: “All the over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth” (Col. 1:6 NIV1984). What made those believers so diligent, so effective? The answer is found in the following verses: “You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also to us of your love in the Spirit” (Col. 1:7-8). I often say or write this, but he practiced what he preached. People had seen in his lifestyle what the church put into effect in their lifestyles.
Here are a few traits for the believer’s spiritual influence on others, enabling conversion and spiritual growth:
• Enthusiasm ¾ When we read those Scriptures, we cannot help but realize the believers at Colossae were enthusiastic. That was evident from the joy they experienced from knowing Christ as Savior. They were also excited about what was happening in their church (something churches of today should take note of.) Enthusiasm includes both optimism and expectancy. Pessimists rarely get excited about anything. It has been said that the pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty. Believers should not hide their Christianity but should enthusiastically show and share it!
• Trustworthiness ¾ This trait can either make or break our relationships with those we should be witnesses to.A Christian who is trustworthy is a wealth to one’s community. Respect, admiration and confidence are easily placed in the individual who demonstrates by actions what is professed by words. If the believer is honest and transparent in public, that speaks highly of the influence that person has received from the Holy Spirit.
• Discipline ¾ God’s Word frequently addresses the believer’s need to cultivate self-control, which is discipline. Undisciplined behaviors such as foul language, immorality, arrogance, gossip and anger create barriers between believers and non-believers. It is important to emphasize that this also applies to such actions between two believers and two church members.
• Decisiveness ¾ On the heels of discipline is the trait of decisiveness. When believers cannot make up their minds to be committed to Christ or not, it is a hindrance to their Christian testimonies. An ingredient of being indecisive is procrastination. Putting things offuntil later can be detrimental. Those who are impressed to speak to a family member, a neighbor or a coworker about Christ but decide to wait another day may find deep regret when something horrible happens to that other person who is taken into eternity without salvation.
• Boldness ¾ Have you ever noticed that you rarely see cowards at the front of any battle? Friend, every Christian is engaged in a battle for the Lord. You might say, “Tom, you can’t possibly compare Christians to cowards.” Well, yes, I am. If we are enthusiastic, untrustworthy, undisciplined and indecisive, we are likely to hesitate and feel afraid to speak to others about Christ. We don’t have to be afraid. Jesus promised never to forsake us or leave us alone. May we have the boldness to show Christ in us!
