What's Wrong Here?

Check out this news article...Don't you know the enemies of Christ enjoy this story!

A Cincinnati preacher - 71 years old - was on his way to church according to an NBC new story when he allegedly waved a gun at another motorist and cursed at her.

Thomas Howell claims that she cut him off. According to the female motorist, Howell threatened to shoot her and called her names during a car chase. Howell said that he has a permit for the gun but never took it out of the holster. The judge in the case sided with the woman convicting Howell of aggravated menacing. He could get up to 6 months in jail for the misdemeanor charge after sentencing next month.

Here's some of the other headlines associated with this case:
Preacher, 71, Convicted for Road Rage
Preacher Needs to Practice What He Preaches
Gun-toting Preacher Guilty in Road Rage

Now I'm not going to post every article I read about the mishaps of fellow preachers, of course anyone can go to Fox News today and read about a lawsuit against Victoria Osteen for her behavior on a flight, but I felt inclined to share the story about an unknown. Every preacher in the world needs to pay careful attention to the headlines posted and the amount of news something like this brings. The world watches us very closely...not only that but they watch believers closely to see if we will practice what we preach.

I have said it before and will say it again: "The reason many people don't come to Christ is because they know a 'Christian'." That may sound a little harsh but how many times have you hear someone say that they know someone who goes to church and....

The point I want to make out of this is how can we expect to win a world for Christ if all they ever see coming out of the church looks just like the world. I ask myself this question. It's too easy for us to get lazy with our faith. It's too easy for us to become consumed with our emotions and the moment. We aren't that different from the people around us but WE SHOULD BE!

Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul: "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord...Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:17-21.

What would the world be like if BELIEVERS lived by God's Word? Far too often we quickly blame the ills of this world on the unbelievers. Henry Blackaby said, "As we wait for the world to come to Christ, the world waits for believers to get right with God." As much as lies within us...Do not be overcome...each of these commands are for us to obey. We cannot expect an unbelieving world to practice our faith. They wait for us to live our faith out in front of them.

With all that being said, I pray for Thomas Howell. I pray that he will be shown mercy but I also pray that he gets this right with the other person. As much as lies with us...!