Okay, okay, the title's misspelling is obvious and purposeful. Some of my English students, nevertheless, do make those mistakes more often than I would like. A trained eye catches them; an untrained eye does not always. There's a different mistake Christians make that most people notice without any problems--being disingenuous. Even my four year old can sense when something is false. She'll say to me, "You joking, Momma. Right?" After reading Romans 12, we should, however, heed Paul's words:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
How will we show others we are genuine? By not being like the world. How do we achieve this when everything around us tells us to conform? By the renewal of our minds. How do we renew our minds? By reading and studying scripture. Then, and only then, can we discern God's will, which will show in the way we live out our lives. Non-Christians will see clearly that our decisions are not based on keeping up with the Joneses or the like, but to honor and glorify God in heaven.
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
How will we show others we are genuine? By using our gifts generously. When we serve the Lord, we will give freely and cheerfully of ourselves in our homes, churches, and workplaces.
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
How will we show others we are genuine? By loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. By regarding sin with hatred and disgust. By holding on to all good things. By serving the Lord (and not money). By rejoicing, hoping, praying. And by giving to other Christians through our homes and other resources.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
How will we show others we are genuine? By the way we sympathize with others. By the way we humble ourselves. And by the way we treat our neighbors (whether Christian or non-Christian). Our neighbors may persecute us or commit all sorts of evil against us. The world would react with vengeance; true Christians do not. They seek to live in harmony with all so far as it depends on them. They know that Christ has it under control, so if a Christian harms you, Christ paid for that sin on the cross, and if a non-Christian harms you, that soul will pay for his sin on judgement day if he does not turn from his wicked ways and seek the one who saves.
When the world sees us acting and reacting differently to the myriad of situations we face daily, the world cannot deny our genuineness. Christians will be strengthened and encouraged; non-Christians will come to know Him. So...let's GET REAL already! (I'm talking to myself as much as I am to you.) Let's do this for the glory of God! We don't have time to waste!
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