As I was switching laundry, I looked at the bottom of the dryer and noticed two guitar picks. My first response was to yell, “Boys! Why are the guitar picks in my dryer?” But before a word could come out of my mouth, I knew why there were guitar picks in my dryer… my boys had been practicing their guitars and these picks were evidence of that.
See, I knew that my boys were practicing playing their guitars… but not because that I heard them practicing or that I saw them practicing. It was that I saw evidence beyond their performances.
I wonder what the evidence of my life is… Whether I want to admit it or not, there is evidence- is it good or bad?
Do I leave a place better than I found it?
Or do I focus on the negative and give into the temptation to gossip, stir up drama, and so on…
Is the fruit of my conversations love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? (Galatians 5:22-23
Or is the fruit envy, pride, lust…? (see works of the flesh Galatians 5:19-21)
When people see me, do they know I am Christian by my actions and encounters with others? Or do they just assume I am of the world because of my daily livings?
Hard questions to ask. Even harder questions to answer.
But if you are a Christian, there should be evidence that you are changed by the love of Jesus Christ. Your faith should be an overflow in your life.
If you do not like the answers you are giving to these questions, work on your heart. The Bible calls us to guard our hearts, repeatedly. However, the message of American culture is to follow your heart. Our hearts are deceitful. Following our hearts will lead us down a path of destruction if you allow worldly agendas to motivate your heart. You must follow God. Fill your heart with His word, mediate on His promises, look to Him for direction. Where your heart is, there is also your treasure.
Submit your heart to God and His will! Then your actions will be evidence of your faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus said to His disciples, “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)