Looking Redeemed

“I‘d be more likely to believe in God, if his redeemed looked redeemed.” I turned on the radio this morning, just in time to hear this quote from a sermon.  Apparently it was made by a man who had influenced the thinking of Adolf Hitler.  Obviously he was an atheist, but his words really impacted me.  Do we, as the church, purchased by his blood, brand-new, and grace-filled, reflect our redemption to the world?  Do we stand out from the crowd, or do we blend right in?  This onlooker couldn’t see anything special about the Christians he came in contact with, so there was nothing that made him want to investigate any further.

 Ask yourself, if I’m not representing Christ, who or what am I representing?   What should we look like?  Well, let’s look at what we shouldn’t  be putting forth; “…sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these.” Galatians 5:19.  Paul reminds us that just because we have been redeemed, doesn’t give us the right to go on acting like we used to.  Sadly, many self-professed Christians, (church membership doesn’t make one a Christian), are still involved in these activities, and the world is watching them, very closely I might add. They profess redemption, but don‘t represent the redeemer.  Add to that the fact that many in the church complain about, long, boring sermons, uncomfortable pews and having to pay tithes. Good grief, there’s no evidence of joy, let alone redemption, no wonder atheists have the perception they do!

So then, how shall we live as the redeemed of Christ?  Paul, to the rescue again, says this, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22. While spiritual fruit doesn’t develop overnight, it flourishes under the right conditions. As we grow in our faith, we’ll start bearing this luscious fruit, and that’s what needs to be evident to unbelievers. Let’s start looking like who we are…“Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story…” Psalm 107:2.