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"...And You Call Yourself a Christian!"

Is the above clause familiar? Has it ever been said to you? Or have you heard it being said concerning someone? Well, it only shows that people, bad as they are, still expect certain behaviours and lifestyles from professing Christians.
Really, nobody is interested in how much you know and can preach the Word of GOD, or how much you can pray and keep vigils, or how frequent you are in church and programmes, or how much visions and prophecies you give, or how much you can speak in unlearned languages (tongues), or any such thing.
Like Jesus pointed out, it is by YOUR FRUIT that you shall be known (Matt. 7:16-20; 12:33). People will not care about the quantity of “manure” or “energy” you put in until they can see the fruit you bear in all its beauty. Everybody is tired of talkers; they want to see men and women who walk their talk. And, truly, it is actions that proves the reality of faith (see James 2:14-17).
Basically, people still expect you as a professing Christian to be different in the following areas:
• the way you treat people,
• the way you treat your parents or spouses,
• the way you treat your boss or leader,
• the way you talk,
• the way you dress,
• the way you respond to those in need,
• the way you respond to issues and offences,
• the way you relate with the opposite sex,
• the way you handle public funds and property,
• the way (and what) you eat and drink,
• the way you approach your studies, work or business,
• the way you handle challenges in your life,
• Etc. The list goes on and on.
It is the fruit that attracts. Jesus said, “Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance: and think not to say within yourselves, ‘we have Abraham to our father:’ Matt. 3:9 (RV)” In other words, it is not just by confessions and declarations of your stand and authority in Christ; the way you live your life matters a lot more than you think. Even Jesus went about DOING GOOD! (Acts 10:38)
If people cannot boldly say you’re a Christian, I’m afraid GOD may not have a different opinion. And I hope you’ve not forgotten these words of Jesus, “And even now is the axe laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire (Matt. 3:10 (RV).”
“For we are his workmanship, CREATED in Christ Jesus FOR GOOD WORKS, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10 (RV))” Therefore, as Jesus instructed, you must “let your light so shine BEFORE MEN, that they may SEE your GOOD WORKS, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Lux Fiat! (Show the Light!)
“Now that you know this truth, how happy [blessed] you will be if you put it into practice!”
– Jesus Christ (John 13:17 GNB).
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