The past few days, I've heard the word "represent" more than I have my entire life. Examples being me representing Cross Lanes Baptist while I'm on the mission field or me representing my family back home when I went with my extended family to my grandparent's grave site.
What does the word represent mean? Represent is a verb, which conveys that it's an action. By definition it means to be entitled or appointed to act or speak for someone. So when used in the above examples, I'm acting for someone else, whether it's the church or my family depending on which example you use.
That being said, I have to be a good example of who I'm representing... If I don't it reflects back badly onto who I represent. If I drank or something, what would that say about the church I go to? Since I'm doing it, I guess people at that church does the same. Or, if I'm quiet and timid, does that mean the rest of my family is as well? (Answer to that is yes, unfortunately... Though I'm getting a lot more social now).
Another great example is the school that I went to. Last year, we were under fire of how crude and classless we were. Screaming obscenities, throwing objects, heckling that was way over the lines were just a few examples. A few of our games were broadcast on national televisions and people around the world saw what WVU students were like. Even though not all people from WVU are like that, that's what the rest of the world saw us to be. Not only did it reflect badly on the school, but it reflected badly on the state. One of things that popped in my head that time was that I may not go to the seminary that I wanted because of that image (though I realized quickly that they wouldn't judge my character on that anyways). One of the students in my class thought there was nothing wrong with that, that we should be able to do anything we want and say what we want. He'll probably sing a different tune if a job refuses to hire him because he came out of "that school"
That was a bad example of representing. What's a good one? According to Galatians 5:22-23, the fruits of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. You may recognize these verses from my last blog post as my "fortune verse". Notice that there is the word "and" at the end. Some translations of the Bible have "and" while some just left it out. The reason this is so important to me is because the word "and" means that you need to have all of them, opposed to the word "or" which means you need at least one. This is important to Galatians 5:22-23 because you need all of the fruits of the spirit... not at least one.
What's the difference? Lets be positive and possess all the fruits except one. If you possess all but love, it may not be shown on the outside because it's hard enough to tell if someone loves you, but you'll be rotting on the inside. God is love after all, and not possessing love will mean you have an alternative motive. No joy? People's going to look at that and think you're miserable doing your work. No peace? same as above; being conflicted on something isn't something good to show. No patience? Not planning ahead and doing something spontaneously is not wise. (Prov. 21:5).
No kindness? Stereotypical Christians are known for their kindness. If you don't show any, it'll reflect badly. No goodness? Nobody is "good" due to sin, but we need to strive for it. No faithfulness? It's as good as lying. If nobody can count on you, how will that reflect others you represent? No gentleness? I think this one is an overly important one. People these days are too easily offended and provoked. So in witnessing, we need to stop pressing these buttons. But we also do not need to reduce the Gospel to the health and wealth gospel. If you know the person, you should be able to wisely use the Truth to weave around their peeves. Don't know them? Well not being gentle with them isn't the best first impression.. Which leads to having no self-control. I struggle with this often... James 3:1-12 says that the tongue is a terrible weapon. What you say will most certainly reflect back to who you are as a person. Not only by words, but by actions too. What you do and what you say will represent who you are.
In Greek the word Christian means follower of Christ. As a follower we need to represent him. As proud as I am to represent my family and my church on this trip, it doesn't compare to representing Christ. I'm proud of what I'm doing right now, even though I may not enjoy it. That being said, I am not Christ myself. I do not have healing powers nor the authority to go into churches and tell them what they're doing is wrong. If I had powers to heal or a sign to show that I'm saved, then it contradicts with the Bible (Matt. 16:4). I don't have the right to judge others, openly is even worse since that is now a stereotype we live by thanks to Westboro. And I definitely don't have the right to act like I'm better than anyone else because I am saved. My duty here in Taiwan is to love, serve, and represent Christ. But not only in Taiwan, but on this time on Earth as well. This shouldn't be just for missionaries or pastors, but everyone.
Who are you representing? It's easy to say Jesus but do we really believe that? Going to church whenever it's open, being involved in every activity, leading Bible studies, bragging that you're a Christian or singing in the choir is only the highest tip of the iceberg. There's something more if you want to represent Christ
Till Next Time
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