Good Examples?
By Debra Ayis, 20, Nigeria
I tried recently to talk to a friend about Christ. It wasn’t the first time. In fact, I had been “preaching” to him for years. But this particular occasion was different because it was the first heart-to-heart talk we’d had since the unfortunate death of his 16-year-old sister.
He was at my house recovering from a grievous illness when I tried to persuade him to turn to God. But as I coaxed him to change his ways, he said it was not like he didn’t believe in God. It’s just that he wasn’t close to Him—a fact he saw no fault with.
Then he said something that shook me. He said people always told him to become a better Christian, but the church seemed to him to be the breeding ground for gossip and pretence. In fact, the only person he regarded as a real friend was Jacob, a boy his parents kept discouraging him to keep as a friend.
The reason was simple. Although Jacob did all the things that deemed him as bad company, he was the only one who was always there for my friend. In school, Jacob would defend him even if he was the one in the wrong. When his sister had passed away, Jacob had accompanied him all the way back to make sure he was okay.
He went on to give countless examples on how his non-Christian friend had come through for him and proven his worth, when no believer was anywhere to be found. The Christians in his life have been like the priest and Levite in Jesus’ parable (Luke 10:30-35). Only the Samaritan, an outcast, had shown compassion to the dying man.
Upon hearing this, I reconsidered my reasons for not turning up for the sister’s funeral. I realized there was more that I could have done to support my friend emotionally, deeds that would have meant so much more than the lectures I always gave him. Moreover, I felt ashamed that my actions had not proved Christ as I was trying to make my words do.
Are we good examples of what we preach? Do we let Christ’s light shine through unselfish acts of love? Do we show by action that we are what we preach? Or do we hide behind doctrines and let the “Samaritans” show His love?
WHO AM I?
Do I speak of my understanding,
Of Scriptures and Christ,
To hide the truth that
Maybe I don’t live like Him,
Shine like Him?
Do I try to hide the truth
From myself as well as others,
That knowing is not doing?
Who am I?
Do I act like Him?
Do I truly follow in His footsteps,
Or do I hide behind theology,
Convincing myself
That I am like Him?
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Hi Debra,
This is really a lovely stuff. I agree in totality that what the unbelievers needs are friends – real friends. someone also shared the same thoughts with me recently. He said that unbelievers are better drawn to believers who do not judge them. Unfortunately, we are a lot more judgmental than loving. May God help us all.
Niyi, Nigeria
Thank you Niyi