There it was, right on the front of his t-shirt … “I’M A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST!” He had just moved into our neighborhood (and even visited the church we attended)… I mean with that message emblazoned on the front of his t-shirt, what would you expect? How would you expect him to live? What would you expect his conversation to be like? How would you expect him to conduct himself under pressure? What values would you expect him to live by? … I mean after all, there it was… “I’m a follower of Jesus Christ!”
CHRISTLIKE BEHAVIOR IS EXPECTED FROM THOSE WHO CLAIM BE “CHRISTIANS” DON’T YOU THINK?
Apostle Paul thought so… Paul was in prison for “the Gospel!” – He wanted to hear that his fellow believers were “living the Christ-life” in Philippi – living like citizens of the “Kingdom of heaven” in a pagan culture! So here’s how he urged those who lived in the Roman colony of Phillipi to live (Philippians 1:27-30):
“ONLY LET YOUR MANNER OF LIFE BE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST!”
Now he borrowed language used of Roman citizens – Roman citizens were expected to live by the laws, the responsibilities and privileges, and the values of Rome. In like manner Paul believed he (and others) had a right to expect “Christians” (followers of Christ) to behave like Christians should!
HEY… IF YOU’RE GOING TO WEAR THE T-SHIRT YOU’VE GOT TO BE WILLING TO LIVE THE LIFE! I never want my lifestyle to contradict my claim to be a “follower of of Christ” and a citizen of the “Kingdom of heaven!”
Coffee With The Lord 