Love Has a Name

Sometimes in conversations with people, God gives these phrases or words that seem to set the conversation in context.

For example, last week I was sharing with a dear friend of mine. We were talking about loving God, living holy and seeking Jesus earnestly. I believe my friend is in a season of being refined. He is asking questions about himself, about God, about behaviours and trying to put it all together. I feel he is being shaken by the Holy Spirit and causing inner reflection upon his life.

Through the conversation I heard the Lord whisper to me, “if your life was a T.V. channel, which station would it be on?”

Are you on the Christian Broadcasting Networking, Reality T.V. Network or X-Rated Adult Network? Do you even want people to see what your life is like? I do not judge anyone, anywhere for where they are at in their life now, however, we must be aware that we represent Jesus while we walk through life in the flesh.

When I first found the faith I had challenges with my behaviour and it took me several years to understand what it meant to be a follower of Jesus.

At the end of the day I was trying to fit Jesus into my life instead of trying to give up everything and going to Jesus.

When I think of my life back then I would say I was more of a reality T.V. show than a true follower of Jesus. I used to drink and I wanted to keep dating but at the same time worship and follow Jesus.

I wanted the world, and Jesus, to accommodate me instead of me conceding to the sovereignty of the Father.

I heard the question asked of me, what T.V. channel are you and it was a sober reminder of sincerely what it is like to be a sincere follower of Jesus.

This world has 7.7 billion people living on it. Now imagine you are the ONLY Christian. You are the only one to know the truth, have the truth and now you have to share the truth. People everywhere see you, hear you, listen to you and speak with you.

Your behaviours, actions, gestures and words are what other people will believe a Christian is. Our actions and inactions, our words spoken and silence, all dictate to others what a Christian is. We are often times the first contact between an unbeliever and Jesus.

What do they walk away thinking?

Like it or not, this is the truth. This is why we are called to live differently, why we are called to be different.

1 Peter 1:15-16:

“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Romans 12:2:

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

I believe these 2 scriptures side by side put this all into context as well as the question that God asked me. What channel are you on?

When people see me do they see Jesus? If not… what do they see? I have repented of my life prior to this day and I still do make mistakes today but I am living a more holy life than ever before. The responsibility I feel to be a beacon of light I do not take lightly. Having said this I fully acknowledge, and warn, that it is not our responsibility to do the changing or hearts and minds nor is it our duty to force others.

Our duty and responsibility as followers of Jesus is to bring truth to light, live holy and godly lives and to be in relationship with Jesus. To love God and to love others.

Stand up and say no to injustice. Refuse to conform to the world and praise Jesus when you do. Show love and care and compassion to the most vulnerable people on the planet.

Take heart that we can be and will be persecuted before Jesus returns and be joyful that persecution is a promise. This in and of itself is totally counter-cultural but I choose to embrace persecution as a sign that I am sharing truth as I know firsthand that the truth more often than not offends those who are living in sin and living in misalignment with God’s will.

We are on display to the world, and people are watching, more than ever. So ask yourself…

What channel am I on?