What kind of review would you get?

Do you ever read book reviews? I rarely do, because I tend to rely more on my friends for their assessment of a book than strangers.  Yesterday, Rescuing Hope had a blog tour where about twenty different bloggers from across the country read it and wrote reviews. I’m happy to say all but a couple of the bloggers had great things to say about Hope. The few who had negative comments didn’t bother me. I know I’ll never please everyone with my writing. After all, not everyone loves the Bible and that is the greatest book ever written.

One of my scripture readings this morning drew my mind back to the idea of book reviews.  2 Corinthians 3:3 says,

You are an epistle of Christ.”

An epistle is a writing directed or sent to a person or group of people, usually an elegant and formal didactic letter. For those who are asking what didactic means, it is intended to convey instruction and information as well as pleasure and entertainment.  So to put it simply, our lives are to pleasantly and lovingly convey who Christ is. Oh, it that all? Well, nothing like a tall order, huh?

When I was in high school our pastor, Frank Edwards, came to our youth group to speak to us.  I only remember one sentence of what he shared but it has stayed with me ever since,

Your life may be the only Bible someone ever reads, so make sure it’s a good read.”

We will encounter people from many different walks of life.  Some have grown up in church and are very familiar with the name Jesus.  Others have never graced the doorway of a church or would ever consider it. So how are they to learn about Jesus, how He loves them, what He did for them and that He desperately desires to have a relationship with them? Through you and me.  We are to tell His story with the way live our lives, with the words we say, with the way we treat them.

People are always watching you, whether you realize it or not. Don’t believe me? Just mess up royally and you’ll hear about it. I’ve always told teenagers,

Once you’ve accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, you become His witness.  You can either be a good witness for Him or a bad witness, but either way, you’re a witness.

What will people think about Jesus as a result of the way you live your life? Will they be intrigued enough to draw closer to learn more or will they turn and head the other way? What kind of review will you get? The choice is yours.