II Corinthians 5:20-21 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
I Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”
Romans 10:14 “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”
Matthew 5:13-16 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
During our first military assignment in California, we bought a home off base. It was on a wonderful piece of property and we had the benefit of a very big lot at the end of a cul-de-sac.
Shortly after our move in, a kind neighbor who lived at the base of our street stopped by to say hi. He owned a landscaping business and offered his services at the market rate to take care of our yard. With a young family and a busy job, it was a welcome opportunity to shed some workload, but we weren’t ready to commitment until we got a bit more established.
A few days later, we took a walk around the neighborhood and noticed something important – his property was a disaster. The landscaping was non-existent, the yard was overgrown in some places and dead in others, and the property was an eye-sore. This quick observation made it obvious that we wanted nothing that he had to offer in the landscaping and yard maintenance realm. We weren’t looking for perfection, but at least a modicum presentability and respectability.
How is your spiritual landscaping? Is your testimony an eye-sore? I’m not talking about perfection, but at least a modicum of presentability and respectability. If not, people won’t interested in anything you have to offer.
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS, STARTING WITH US, TO LIVE LIVES THAT ARE FITTING AS AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST. It is important to remember that people are always watching to determine what they think about what you say you represent. It is critical that we live out genuine testimonies that includes at least a modicum of presentability and respectability.
