“You have never truly found Jesus
If you do not tell others about Him.”
~Charles H. Spurgeon
Last week I read an article about a reality TV dating show with numerous bachelors vying for a long-term relationship with one bachelorette. I know many are fans of these types of shows, but me … not so much. I’m not judging anyone who watches these programs, they just don’t interest me personally.
The only reason I’m acknowledging the show is because the young bachelorette made a very public (and proud) proclamation of having engaged in pre-marital sex. Normally, this would be the status quo for this type of show. The story however, is steeped in controversy because the woman has been extremely vocal about being a Christian. Furthermore, she defends her promiscuity believing it’s okay, because Jesus still loves her and forgives her.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 14:12 ESV)
She isn’t wrong. Jesus continues to love us when we sin and forgives us when we repent of our sins and ask his forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Let ‘s face it – we all sin – EVERY DAY. God generously affords us grace if we mess up and don’t realize that what we are doing is wrong. However, once we learn that our behavior is sinful and contrary to the Word of God, we become accountable for our sinful behavior.
As Christians, we should strive to choose right over wrong simply because we love Jesus. Our salvation was costly to Jesus which is why we should want to model righteous behavior as outlined in the Bible. .
If this bachelorette wants to sleep with a dozen guys then that’s on her. BUT she needs to stop proclaiming her lifestyle as acceptable, because God understands and forgives her. This girl has taken a lot of heat for her behavior, but still defends her actions even knowing Biblical truth regarding sexual immorality.
Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. (1 John 3:4 ESV)
If we are blessed by God with a public platform, it’s more important than ever that Jesus and the Word of God are edified and honored. If that platform affords us great success, we owe it to the Lord to use that platform to give Him the credit for our achievements.
This Christian bachelorette who lives her own loose-morals-brand of Christianity may be the only “Jesus” many of these fans ever see. While we are not called to follow Christians – we are called to follow Jesus; these shows have thousands, maybe even millions of viewers each week. Many may wrongfully judge ALL Christians based on this one very vocal woman.
The same could be said for us – at our jobs, at school, at play dates or the grocery store. How do we model Jesus at weekend church services to someone who may be visiting for the first time and doesn’t know who Jesus is?
It’s a huge responsibility to be an ambassador for Christ. If we are going to be PUBLIC CHRISTIANS, we need to publicly honor the One who died in our place.
