We Need More Christians!

By Robert E. Guinn

    The other day I was mowing my yard. Seeing that my neighbor was working in his yard, I killed the engine and walked over to introduce myself. He is a kind, elderly soul that enjoys doing yard work alongside his wife. Nothing, however, could have prepared me for his closing statement before we returned to work in our yards. After finding out that I am a minister, he said, "Keep up the good work. We need more people like you to remind us about religion and what we should be doing."
     My first thoughts were, What makes me so special? It was not me personally, but what I represented to this elderly gentleman. Then it dawned on me, He is right. We need more people in this world that properly represent Christ.
     We need more Christians! We need more Christians, because Jesus told us to grow our numbers. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you," (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus wanted us to be fruitful and multiply.
     We need more Christians to bring more glory to God. Christians glorify God by the lives they live.  Jesus said to, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven," (Matthew 5:16). If there are more Christians, there are more lights to shine, and then God gets the glory.
     We need more Christians living as examples to the world. The Christian life is a journey dedicated to becoming more like Christ. It is a lifestyle that transforms us from selfish to self-less. Putting the Christian life into practice, others see our progress causing us to not only save ourselves but others too (1 Timothy 4:15-16). We positively influence the world, beginning with ourselves.
     All Christians have a ministry. That ministry begins within ourselves and grows to our families, friends and the world around us. The conversion of souls and faithful living are not exclusively the role of preachers, teachers, deacons, or elders. God calls all his people to multiply, glorify, and exemplify the Christian life-style. Will you answer that call?                                  

--Robert E. Guinn preaches for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org