Don't just preach it live it!

For over five years I as a Christian I have seen so many people who say one thing but live differently. The truth of the matters is that we are all sinful people and at times we can all be hypocrites. Because of our sinfulness towards a Holy and Righteous God is from the very beginning of our lives because sin came into the world through one man, therefore we are all born with a sin nature. However when you become a born again Christian you receive a new nature. The old has passed away and all things become new.

Yet even with the new nature being free from sin, not meaning we will never sin again but we are free to say no and turn from wickedness and cling to Jesus Christ. I know in my own life there are many times I fail the Lord, and I am so thankful that he gives us a promise that He is faithful to forgive us if we confess our sins, He will cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Now that doesn't mean we have a free pass to sin and sin. No the Bible is clear on the fact that if we continue in a sinful lifestyle then the truth is we were never truly saved to begin with.

So I want to be clear with what I am saying here, not that as Christian we always do what we hear because we don't. The truth is many Christians fail to do the things they know they should (which is called the sin of omission) and become more like hearers of the word only and not doers of the word.

As I said I know I am not perfect and will never claim to be. 

Sometimes I hear Pastors, Elders or Deacons preach or talk about the need to share the Gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ with others. Some even come up with Ministries to help people share the gospel or write books on....HOW TO share the gospel. Although sometimes I feel like we are only being hearers of the Word and not DOERS.

When I was in the Army the leaders I had that I respected the most were always the ones who lead from the front. Leading by example, and I don't mean just because they did things that the privates did. I mean being a leader stepping up and leading his squad or platoon. I believe Pastors should be more like the good leaders in the military. Not afraid to lead by example. 

To make this clear, I know there are many amazing men of God who Pastor and lead their flocks, this is mainly directed towards those who tend to be more hearers of the Word (or Preaching the Word) and not really doers.

This may sting a bit but sometimes we need to step outside the comfort of the four walls of the Church building to actually engage with the culture and see what is really going on.

Being a part of a ministry that goes out and open air preaches and engages with the culture on the streets, meeting them where they are, I have seen some amazing things happen in the lives of others Christians.

I have had four or five accounts of seeing Christians who I believe are truly believers but rarely shared the Gospel openly to people on the streets or witnessed open air preaching for the first time. Who have come out to join us because they have been growing in the walk with the Lord and realized they needed to be out sharing the Gospel with others. And after witnessing open air preaching for the first time, being there and watching the reactions of people as they walk by rejecting the gospel and angry towards God. This has really opened their eyes about how important it is to share the gospel because they witnessed first hand the reactions of people, even though we know unbelievers are born haters of God until you see just how much they are in person sometimes you just don't realize how much people do need the Lord Jesus.

So Pastors/Elders, and Deacons, just because you hold those positions in a Church doesn't excuse you from engaging the culture and being a witness for Christ outside the comfort of your Church building. Lead by example when your Church members see how important something is to you it will become important to them as well. I know there is much a Pastor must do each week, so not to take away from that, I understand time is valuable to them, but be sure to take some time out to lead your congregation in outreach. It will make a difference.

And Christian this doesn't exclude you either lets not only be hearers of the Word but lets be Doers as well. It is important to always be learning but what good is the learning if it is never applied.

I pray this will be an encouragement to many and bring conviction to those who need it. I am speaking to myself first, because it can become so easy to be a spectator and not actually engaged in leading people to Jesus Christ.

Grace and Peace, Shalom!
by Ricky Gantz
G220 Ministries