Influence

As Christians and disciples of Jesus we are given two very important identities; salt and light. With these two identities Jesus gives us the charge to be examples to this world. In Titus 2:7-8 it states, “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.” Our example and influence is not about how other Christians view us but about how the non-Christians view us.

Gandhi famously said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” How we act can affect people’s view of Jesus Christ. Some might be on the edge of belief but see Christians who act no differently from the people who do not claim Christ and decide that Jesus isn’t for them based on their behavior. People who don’t believe constantly use Christians’ hypocritical behavior as their grievance against Jesus. We have to remember that we are called to be salt and light. We are called to influence those around us so that they can be influenced by the love of God.

- Ryan Jarboe (Aim, Italy '09)