Eddie J. Caskey
The story is told of a fountain pen salesman who persuaded a merchant to order 500 dozen pens. He was writing the order in his notebook when suddenly the merchant exclaimed, “Hold on! Cancel that order!” The salesman left the store perplexed and angry. Later, the merchant’s bookkeeper asked, “Why did you cancel that fountain pen order?” The merchant responded, “because he talked fountain pens to me for half an hour, using a number of forcible arguments and then booked my order with a lead pencil!” His practice did not agree with his profession!
Unfortunately, the lives of many Christians do not agree with their profession of faith. Jesus encourages each of us to remember exactly what we are to be in Matthew 5:13-16 when He stated, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
What Jesus tells us is this: If you are a follower of the God of Heaven – Let others see it! We should not shirk away from sharing the gospel or admonishing an evil practice just because we do not want others to think of us as “Bible beaters”! As Jesus said, “Let YOUR LIGHT shine…that they may see YOUR GOOD WORKS and GLORIFY YOUR FATHER!”
The truth is, people watch you anyway! Your children pick up habits and mannerisms from their day-to-day contact with you. Your friends notice phrases and attitudes you display during the school day. Your co-workers notice how much patience and tolerance you have with those you associate with on the job. Some have even been called upon to explain their actions; maybe to the school principal or their boss. Whatever the situation, remember others are watching! If you claim to be a Christian – act like one!