Hypocrite! How the world loves to point their finger and yell that. Christians are frequently the target of that accusation. But those of us who are truly in a relationship with Jesus Christ should be the most humble of all. Always knowing who Jesus is and how far we are from that perfection, we are continuously aware of His mercy and grace. So, when the outside world yells, hypocrite, they should be wrong as long as we remember just who we are. For like them, we are sinners, no better and no worse. The difference is Jesus. For those of us who have accepted His payment for our sins, though sinners, we are clothed with His righteousness, not our own self-righteousness. As we continue our walk with Jesus, as we continue to mature, we should more closely resemble our Savior. But, on this side of heaven, we will never reach perfection in our walk.

We can never forget that as His children, one of our responsibilities is how we represent Jesus to those around us. We read in Colossians 4:5-6, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” We read in Ephesians 5:15-16, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Our charge in this life as His ambassadors (Philippians 3:20) in this fallen world is obvious. We read what our conduct is to be in Colossians 3:12-15, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

We have been given the example through the life of Christ. We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to live out that life. We have a world surrounding us who does not know Him, even though many claim to. We are often viewed critically. Others are waiting to see if our faith is real. With this in mind may we clothe ourselves in Christ daily. We never know when one person might be looking when we think no one is, and seeing Christ exemplified through our lowly bodies might be convinced to seek Him, the only One with the power to save.

At the conclusion of this letter, we read in Colossians 4:17, “And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” As Christians we might have different gifts, but turning others to Christ must be at the heart of our ministries. Those in Christ all have a ministry and all have a role to play as Christ’s representatives to the outside world. May we remember this no matter where we are and no matter who we are with. Our language and behavior should reflect our Savior. When we fail in our daily mission, which we will often do, being the sinners that we are, may we remember that the world is wrong when they point and scream, hypocrite. When this charge is levied against us, whether what we are accused of is real or not, may we fall on His mercy and grace. Not allowing ourselves to become despondent, but moving forward once again as His representatives. Today, wherever you are, take a moment to look around. Take in the reality of how many who surround you at the store, in our homes, at work, on the road do not know, nor have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Now take a second moment to evaluate your own behavior to assess whether or not your actions will help others to see Jesus in you and facilitate their desire to seek Him. This little exercise should be done daily and frequently throughout each day. May God bless each of us in our respective mission fields.