“Does it sound like we’re patting ourselves on the back, insisting on our credentials, asserting our authority? Well, we’re not.You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you.  Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it.” – 2 Corinthians 3:1-3 (The Message)
There is a very familiar saying that goes like this: ” I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day!” This scripture is a reminder that actions speak louder than words. Genuine faith in Jesus Christ is more than going to church on Sunday. Authentic belief  in God is more than choosing not to cuss, staying away from clubs or abstaining from sex before marriage. A bona fide believer is a living letter, a constantly-updated blog dedicated to God’s narrative.
When people see us (believers in God through Jesus Christ), they must see living epistles. The moment we surrender our lives to God, He places His Holy Spirit within us. God literally chooses to dwell and take up residence inside of us. In other words, He moves in and becomes the landlord of our hearts.  He then begins the lifelong process of transforming us inside and out. Motivated by His love, we then begin to respond to the work that He started within us. We begin to bear fruit:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV)
What does this mean for our interaction with those who have not yet committed their lives to God?
It means that we should spend more time and effort investing in our relationship with God than attempting to tell them how to live their lives.
As you are changed, it will show. When you walk in the fruit of the Spirit, it will positively affect those around you. Your light will shine so that others can see work that God has done on your heart.
Live your life as an open book. Don’t be afraid to admit that you are not perfect; embrace the fact that you are a work in progress. And when God does rewrite a chapter within your life or corrects your mistakes, don’t be afraid to share it with those people who are in your sphere of influence. Remember, you are a blog post that is constantly up for revision. Allow God to update you daily through the publishing power of His Holy Spirit.
Well done my friend. I am actually working on a lesson called Image is Everything and this really touched home. God is so good b/c I was just at point where I felt like it was time to go to bed and call it a night when I decided to check facebook 1 more time b4 bed. I was literally asking God for more help and wisdon in preparing this lesson. Thanks for the insight and May God continue to bless you and Lindsey!
Much Love
Rev. Rob
Thanks bro…isn’t remarkable how the Holy Spirit works like that! Keep writing and teaching that good Word bro. – Dex