Life that Demands Evidence
Posted By Mike on May 5, 2008
Many years ago Josh McDowell wrote Evidence that Demands a Verdict. It’s a defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ and prepares believers for the tough questions of skeptics and critics. If you haven’t read it get it and read it. I think it’s a must for every believer.
Along those lines I believe that every man who calls himself a Christ-follower ought to live a life that demands some evidence of his commitment to Christ.
I was reading John 12 last week and it got me to thinking.
In John 11 you have Jesus raising his good friend Lazarus from the grave – he was dead and is now alive. In chapter 12 we find Jesus hanging out with his really close, used-to-be-dead-now-he’s-alive friend. Jesus and his disciples are at Lazarus’ house eating, sharing stories, you know. . .guy stuff.
While they are there a whole bunch of folks start showing up, not only to see Jesus, but to see this guy who was dead and is now alive! I’m sure I would be one of the gawkers. C’mon. . .think about it. Here’s a guy that was really dead – he was dead for 4 days and really, really stunk. Now he’s walking, talking, laughing, eating, and drinking. Wouldn’t you want to see him?
OK, back to the story. . .
As it turns out, because of Lazarus’ encounter with Jesus many Jews began to follow Jesus. And because of this, the Pharisees get perturbed and not only wanted to kill Jesus, but added Lazarus to the hit list as well.
As I read this I realized that Lazarus, who was dead and is now alive by Christ, was pointing people to Jesus. What a great lesson for us. We, too, who were dead in our transgressions or sins (Eph 2:1-3) have been made alive in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:4-5). And if we have been made alive in Christ, then shouldn’t our lives, also, be pointing people to Christ?
Men, if you have been alive in Christ, by accepting Him as your personal Lord and Savior (Rom 10:9-10), then you must ask yourself the question, “Does my life point people – my wife, my children, my clients, my boss, my friends, guests at my church, people I teach or serve with – to Jesus?” If not, then what can you do to change that? Whether you believe it or not there are people watching you and your life is speaking volumes to them. Which volume are they reading?
What evidence is there in your life that you have been raised from the death of your sins and made alive in Christ? Or do you look so much like the world that no one knows the difference. Yes, Lazarus was the same Lazarus. . .except he was different. Just ask a dead man what it means to be alive!
Just something to think about,
Mike
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