Recognizable

While I was walking down a sidewalk the other day, a man passed by that I hadn’t seen in many months.  We made eye contact and he turned his truck around and we had a wonderful time talking and catching up.  He said to me “before I saw your face I thought that guy walks just like Pastor Marty.” (I didn’t know I had a walk but I guess I do).  After he left I started thinking about being recognizable.

In 2 Samuel 18, Absalom had been killed and the news is being brought to King David by way of men running with the news.  So the watchman said, “I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” (2 Sam 18:27)  Ahimaaz was recognizable by the style of his running.  Perhaps you see where I am going with this.

Are we recognizable as followers of Jesus Christ by our actions throughout the course of our normal everyday life?  Is the fruit of the Spirit resplendent in our lives whether
we are at work or play?  Are we recognizable as Christians or are we just part of the world like everyone else, being only concerned for ourselves and doing what benefits us?  Jesus said in reference to our actions toward each other, “by this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”(John 13:35)  But we are also to love and do good to those who are opposed to the gospel and to us. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?  Do not even the tax collectors do the same? (Matt 5:46)

So we should not only be recognizable by our actions but also by our words and the fact that we are proclaiming the good news. This is what was said about the early apostles.  “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And realized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)

Have a wonderful week being with Jesus and being recognizable that you have been with Him.

Pastor Marty