A LIVING BIBLE
Kathy Bernard - Publisher
"Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works and
give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16
| HAVE you ever met someone who embodies the
very essence of Christ? It is not what they
say that speaks to you on some level, it is their actions depicting infinite kindness,
strength and wisdom that comes through amid the clutter and clang of human sin. This
far surpasses the ordinary everyday encounters we all experience. Our attention is caught by something different,
something special and it isn't the clothes or the hairstyle that they wear. We
cannot put a finger on what it is but it is there; quietly pulsating, alive and vibrant. Most of us can recognize it but cannot name it. We may try to dismiss it but it stays there in the
back of the mind, undefined yet ethereal and Godly, seemingly out of reach and beyond
earthly standards. Measured not by everyday,
modernistic yardsticks but by a divine ruler; measured
by that cross on Calvary over 2,000 years ago with its stamp still alive. Once
exposed to it, whatever it is that the person has, you begin to want it for yourself and once you define it, you become watchful,
patiently learning all that you need to be so you can excel
in that role of Christian love; another beacon for Christ in action. One little
candle lighting the way for others to receive the Lord in their lives, unfettered by the
distortion of human lens. WHAT we carry in the heart and soul of us transcends to our outward appearance. We cannot wear a Christian face unless it is real, for deceit will show through and be recognized for what it is. Once we begin our Christian walk we will also begin to know we must encourage others in the way we were encouraged. We become a living bible that others can read just by observing our actions and lifestyles; a true bible that teaches without words. For if we are in Christ, the reality of who we are will shine through for all to see and emulate. WE have all heard the saying “actions speak louder than words or “one picture is worth a thousand words”. Here is a story that tells it all:
HIS name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant. Kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college. ACROSS the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative Catholic Church. They wanted to develop a ministry to the students, but are not sure how to go about it. One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The mass has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the altar and, when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. Although perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, this had never happened in this church before! BY now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick. About this time, the priest realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is thinking that you can't blame him for what he's going to do. HOW can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor? It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. THE priest can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do. And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone. EVERYONE chokes up
with emotion. When the priest gains control, he says, "What I'm about to
preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.
Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever
read." -
Author
Unknown
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