People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Good advice, but actually, we all do live in glass houses. People are watching us every day. They may be strangers, or they may be friends and family members. They watch how we conduct our life. They watch how we worship and pray. They watch how we handle temptations or trials. And people will undoubtedly draw some conclusions about what they observe. As Yogi Berra said, ‘You can observe a lot by watching."
More importantly, God is watching us. He is able to see deeper than the surface. He is watching the thoughts and the intents of the heart, as well as the words we speak and the things we do. God is not doing this only in a critical way-only to see our faults. He is also looking for where He can help us. "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." (2 Chron. 16:9)
This might make us uneasy or self-conscious, since we are often concerned about privacy issues. But, you can't hide from God (see Ps. 139) and cannot totally avoid man. Years ago Howard Hughes tried to hide and become a recluse, and more people were talking and writing about him than if he been open with his life. On the other hand, the Hollywood crowd loves to be seen, but what conclusions do you draw from their lives? We see them strutting in their finery, and later carried off on a stretcher-burned out. Better not to have looked.
We watch others also. We observe the life of others, we think about them-some who are still with us, and some who have passed out of this life. What have we learned from the lives of the saints?
The question that I want to raise with you is, as a Christian, what do others see in you? And what do others think of you? Are we setting good examples or bad? If people listened to us or followed us would they be led to Christ or away from Him? Are we really showing the grace and mercy of God in our lives?
The Apostle Paul became pretty well known among the Christian community-first as a vile persecutor, later as a persecuted missionary. What people saw was a tremendous change in his life. God had brought him back to life. And how did Paul see himself? He is brutally honest and selflessly humble. In 1 Tim. 1:15, he describes himself as the "chief of sinners." But, he does not stop there or use it as some sort of excuse. He says in the next verse that God showed him mercy, so he might be a pattern or example to others of God's patience and mercy with him. "However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life." (1 Tim. 1:16)
Christians all need to begin with the declaration, "I am the chief of sinners!" But God has been patient with me, and showed both mercy and grace. Mercy is when we don't get the punishment we deserve. Grace is when we receive the blessings we don't deserve. We, who were once bitter enemies of God and against God, have been redeemed and reconciled to God. One way to put it is: "If God was patient with me and would save me, then He can also save the vilest of sinners."
If we have this as a basis for our thinking, it does two things: first, it gives hope to those who may hear the Gospel. We become a pattern of hope to others who are looking at us. Secondly, it makes us view ourselves and others differently-we are what we are by the grace of God alone.
We know what God sees when looks at us as Christians. He sees the righteousness of Jesus Christ, imputed to us, as if we had ourselves accomplished all the obedience which Christ has fulfilled for me (Heidelberg Q. 60). He is also watching how we give witness to our salvation-whether we are displaying His work or ours.
What should people see in Christians? What do others see in you? It should be the very same thing-that we who were chief of sinners, have been graciously saved, and now clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Anything else is pure hypocrisy.
People are watching you. God is even turning their eyes on you. What they must see is the pattern of God's patient, merciful hand which saved you. And you must display the pattern of hope-that everyone who trusts in Jesus will receive everlasting life, and join in saying, "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." (1 Tim. 1:17)
