Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

During my time in college, I briefly dated this girl from the state of Ohio. We had met on campus and became good friends. On occasion we’d travel to Ohio to visit her parents. Her father was a preacher with the Apostolic church. The Apostolic believers live a simple life without much worldly influence and have a strong desire to be obedient with the bible’s guidance.   I recall her father was very peaceful and holy in every aspect of his character. You could tell he was a man of God and certainly had a positive influence on my life at the time.

 Every now and then I reflect on this verse and wonder, do people see Christ in me? Do they consider me a man of God? I might not stand behind a pulpit and preach God’s word, but my everyday life should, hopefully, influence people in a positive manner, just as my friend’s father did for me. I know my human frailties, and they are many, and God is working in my life to shape me into the character of Jesus Christ. It’s a lifetime process and every day He removes part of the world and replaces it with a spirit of holiness. I still have a long way to go to perfection.

 How about you? Are you a child of God? Do people within your influence recognize Christ in your life? Do you even desire to be shaped into the image of Jesus Christ? If you’ve truly chosen Christ, then your life should be a reflection of His life to the outside world. God calls all of us to be missionaries to the lost, whether its locally or across the globe. Without peace with our fellow man and holiness, how will the lost find their way to the light of Christ? Let your light bring others to Christ! God bless!