By CHRISTIANOUT.COM
Added: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:00:00 UTC

Reposted from:
http://www.christianout.com/

CHRISTIAN OUT
CHRISTIAN OBSERVABLE UNDERLYING TESTIMONY

Concept
Although the initial idea originated from Mr. Richard Dawkins' campaign, the concept that I would like to draw from is much different. In contrast to Mr. Dawkins, I would like to ask the Christian to:

Come OUT for the cause of Christ.
We need to realize that there are those Christians who are shy or not well versed in Scripture, whether new or old, that may be timid or less likely to share their testimony of salvation, the gospel with others, or even their convictions against sin. We should be conscience of this and encourage them to pray, meditate in the Word of God, and observe godly examples, as we all should, that we may become bolder in the faith and understanding of the things of God. In this we must realize that when we do come out as Christians, we should portray the characteristics outlined in Scripture by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our great example.

Reach OUT for the cause of Christ.
We need to realize that we should be reaching out to people with true compassion and sincerity, minus the pious pharisaical cloaks; to both the saved and the lost. We need to reach out in support to our fellow Christians that are new or struggling, to give support and love through their trials, tribulations, and times of growth as a Christian; to be understanding, yet Scriptural, with a kind heart. We need also to reach out to this lost world with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, remembering to not find it uncommon if by chance the lost person chooses to reject God and the Scriptures, to our dismay. We should not allow their rejection of it to be taken personally, but to be brought to God in prayer for their soul's need of salvation.

Speak OUT for the cause of Christ.
We need to realize that it is necessary for a Christian to personally speak out against sin. We need to speak out against the sin in our own lives and other professing Christians, and also when we are confronted with sin by family, friends, and co-workers. At the same time we are first to examine the beam in our own eye before pointing out the dust in our neighbor's eye. The dust in another's eye does not make us more righteous, nor does looking around the beam in our own eye. In contrast, we also need to speak out concerning the truth, morality, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even when it is uncomfortable, we are to be true to Scripture and obedient to God, therefore calling good "good" and evil "evil". Remember we are to speak and do that which is right because it is right, out of obedience to God, not for personal prestige, gain, or that we should be puffed up while others are put down, causing our pride to be lifted up causing us to fall into sin.

Keep OUT for the cause of Christ.
We need to realize as Christians, it is important to always be aware of sin. We need to be conscience of the devices of the evil one and the lusts of this world that will quickly lead us astray from that which is right and good in the sight of the holy God. Knowing that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, as the Church we are to be faithful to the words of Christ, our Lord and Savior which shed is blood on Calvary that we may have eternal life. As Christians, we should desire to be more Christ-like, refusing to give into the desires of the flesh to sin. As the children's song sings, becareful little eyes what you see, becareful little ears what you hear, and becareful little mouth what you say, we need to add becareful little mind what you think, that we may trust in God as He brings Scripture to our remembrance in the time of temptation.

Stand OUT for the cause of Christ.
We need to realize that Christians are watched by both other Christians and the lost world. We do not need to be seen in a negative conitation, giving them reason to blaspheme the Lord God or sin. By this, we need to be aware of what we say and do, making sure to be followers of the very Scriptures we claim to uphold, also noting that it is done in the right spirit for God to receive the glory. We needn't be so timid or worldly that no one knows that we are a child of God, yet we must refrain from the pitfall of legalism whereby we judge the whole world by our personal moral code brow beating and demanding the lost world or fellow Christians to conform to a system that is above even that which Scripture calls for. We must allow the Scripture to guide us, listening to the Spirit give us knowledge as to when, what, and where to speak and act, shinning as a light in darkness. People should know that we are a Christian, without us having to tell them, by our actions of love toward God, toward the brothern, and toward the lost world.

TAGGED: ATHEISM, FLEAS, RELIGION