Store'Front Christians
Store'Front Christians: As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him and reflect his glory even more” (2 Cor 3:18 NLT). I once dreamed of walking down the Main Street of a beautiful city. The store-fronts along each side were filled with beautifully dressed mannequins, elegant musical instruments and other luxurious items. It was a fantastic dream until I decided to enter one of the stores for a closer look. To my surprise, when I opened the door there was nothing there, not even a floor, only what appeared to be a large, deep, dimly lit cellar, charred and black. In shock, I quickly closed the door and stepped back out on the sidewalk, and there again was this beautiful store'front. The point is that it's not what's on the outside, but the inside that counts with the Lord, what are our true intentions, where is our heart concerning our love and dedication to Him? If we are not careful we will find ourselves resembling that of a "Store'front" Christian; wherein on Sunday morning our life reflects our faith in Jesus, and the rest of the week a lifestyle resembling that of the world. The sad part is that the world recognizes this. It has been said "If you want to know how a Christian should act, ask a sinner." It is disappointing but true that this Christian is probably the last person others will approach for Spiritual guidance. A Christian is to look like Christ at all times. The Apostle Paul says: "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Cor 3:18) According to (Col. 3:9-10) When one becomes a Christian they put off the old self and put on the new. For a Christian to put on the new self means to put on Christ, to live like, and to emulate Him, then to begin doing and living according to His word. The Christian walk is an ongoing lifelong process that takes effort, patience, and concentration. It is our day in day out walk with the Lord that brings honor to Him. We are to bring honor to God in every aspect and activity of our daily lives. As Christians, we represent Christ at all times. We are not only to tell others about Him, but to exemplify Him in all our actions and speech.
We are to let God change us so that we are more like Christ. As Jesus looked like the Father, we are to look like Jesus. When we surrender ourselves to Him and allow Him do what He wants in us, we are then imitating Christ - doing the will of the Father; trusting in Him, honoring Him, and loving Him with all our strength.
Our transformation from store'front Christians into Christlike people begins in our relationship with Him. Perhaps the most beautiful experience through all eternity is to be at one with and to share the loving intimacy of the Father and the Son. "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus..." (Col 3:1)
Blessings, Samuel Mills
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