Christian Living Beyond Worship
By Rev. David Wilson Rogers | May 9, 2015
It was a gathering of business professionals in a faith based time of renewal and transformation. After some really dynamic and exciting worship, the keynote speaker took the stage and began to address the men and women who had come to hear an inspiring and challenging message. He started out his presentation by asking a question. “What single thing distinguishes you as a person of genuine faith?”
The responses were varied. Some suggested that it was regular attendance in worship. Some suggested it was a life of disciplined prayer. Many indicated a preference for faithful tithing. Still others insisted it was in a life lived in faithful service. There were those who suggested it was strict obedience to the tenants of the faith. There were also those who insisted it must be a life lived in addressing issues of social justice and peace. A few indicated a necessity to engage the political system according to the doctrines of their faith.
At each suggestion, the speaker enthusiastically embraced the necessity and prominence of each of these important actions. “A vital and active faith certainly depends on active engagement in all of these characteristics.” He went on to explain, however, that none of them had touched on the very quality he was looking to hear.
“The authenticity of your faith depends on each one of you conducting a fair, honest, and credible business.” After a moment of awkward silence, he continued to explain the rationale behind the statement. If one of these business people were to faithfully carry out all of the practices they had suggested without dealing fairly in business, it would mean that each one of them was shallow and insincere.
The serious challenge that was presented to this audience of business people extends to all Christians in a very basic principle. If we are unwilling to conduct our lives in ways that reflect the sincerity of our religious practices, it calls into question the reality and authenticity of the religious faith we proclaim.
Imagine if you will, the person who raises his hands in sacred praise of Jesus Christ on Sunday morning only to treat a restaurant employee with contempt and derision at lunch after church. Consider, the person who prays every day and is rude to the cashier in the grocery store or cuts a motorist off in traffic without concern. Countless times men and women who profess a deep and resounding faith in Jesus Christ demonstrate that faith by spreading hatred, gossip, and harsh judgment on others in everyday life.
Jesus cautioned his followers in Luke 12:48 to realize as they had been given much through his presence in their life, much would be required. This vital statement of Jesus Christ reminds the believers that the integrity of our faith depends more on how we engage the world, then how we behave when in church or around fellow Christians.
Looking at this in another way, we could argue that the authenticity of one’s faith is measured by how we engage ourselves when no one is looking, and when we are not under the careful judgment exhibit in the context of Christian worship.
It is a simple message. It is not what we do in church or in the privacy of our prayer life that authenticates the legitimacy of our Christian faith. It is how we engage the world as ambassadors of Jesus Christ, who has sent us into the world to love one another as Christ so loved the world.