Faith is public, not private

“First, I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is heralded throughout the world. God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in proclaiming the gospel of His Son, that I remember you constantly, always asking in my prayers that somehow by God’s will I may at last find my way clear to come to you.” (Romans 1:8-10)

There is a commonly held belief that our faith and relationship with Christ is a private matter. Faith is never private. The Sacred Scriptures clearly teach that not only is our faith public, and not private, but it should draw people to Christ. Our faith is a tool the Holy Spirit can, and should, be able to use to pull Christians away from sin and into a life hidden in Christ.

A Christian’s faith, as Paul acknowledges to the Romans, should cause others to speak about Christ. It should cause others to have a desire to know God. We are to share the Gospel and truth of Jesus, His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension with all those around us. It begins with all how we live our life. It begins with more than just attending church but allowing the Lord to keep our actions and life pure. We are to set an example of repentance and godliness to others.

If we do not repent, how do we expect others to believe repentance is necessary? If we do not pray, how should we expect others to believe prayer changes things? If we do not read Sacred Scripture, how are we to show others the importance and life-changing power of Scripture? If we do not live a life intentionally devoted to pleasing Christ, we cannot expect others to learn a different example and truth. “Do as I say and not as I do” is diametrically opposed to the Christian life. Our faith should be recognized and spoken of by those around us. Our obedience, or disobedience, to Christ is on public display every moment of our life. Allow your life to point others toward Christ and not away from Him.

We should also remember those who have helped us in our faith journey. Our prayers should always contain prayers and intercession for those the Lord has used in our life to draw us into a relationship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Prayer is a foundation stone of our daily faith life. The Holy Spirit has used other loved ones, friends, and even strangers to help increase our faith at times in our life. Spend some time today contemplating what sins you should repent of and how your life either causes others to be attracted to Christ or repelled. Additionally, make a special intent to spend time praying for all those the Lord has used in your life to draw you into the faith and knowledge of God.