As a prisoner for the Lord, I am urging you to live a life that is worthy of the high calling you have received. (Eph 4:1)
Jesus expects those who use His name to represent Him well through their attitude, their words, and their behavior. In everything you think, say, and do, you should strive to be like Him. If you claim to be a Christian but your life doesn’t reflect His character, you are giving people a reason to doubt Jesus. Living inconsistently doesn’t just look bad; it actively dishonors Jesus.
The way God’s grace shows up in human lives is proof that the truth is powerful. If someone says they follow Christ but never shows that grace to others, their claim is fraudulent. You cannot lower yourself to the world’s standards without betraying your faith. To do so is offensive to God, and He cannot claim someone as a disciple if they aren’t loyal to His principles.
A Christian should stand on solid ground as a partner with God, but that is never an excuse to be arrogant. You should firmly reject anything that goes against truth and goodness, but you must do it with the same spirit Jesus had.
Avoid the holier than thou attitude. Never act like you are better than others. Stay committed. Refuse to give in to sin because you’ve made a sacred promise to honor Jesus. Be an example. Use your life to show that the Bible’s principles work, but make sure your love makes your faith look attractive to others. Reject bigotry. Show genuine compassion for people who have lost their way rather than judging them.
Live and work with the same spirit Jesus had. Stay alert, because you will face temptations. You must be rock solid when it comes to your principles. Make sure your character reveals who Jesus is. If you trust Him constantly, the Lord will be your source of energy, your strength, and your ultimate reward.
-adapted from That I May Know Him, by EGW, May 2nd