We’re now two weeks into the new year. Oftentimes, the beginning of a new year is a time of reflection and resolution. These two mental exercises are actually very good to do, not only at the beginning of a new year, but at other times as well. It is a healthy investment of our time to reflect on things we have done, and things we have left undone. Then, it is a good time to resolve to do better – to make better choices, to eat healthier food, to get more exercise, to spend more quality time with our family and loved ones, to go deeper in our relationship with God – and on and on it goes.

It is also a very good time to make sure we are living true to our personal convictions and commitments. For those of us who profess to be believers in and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is good to consistently review our own beliefs, behavior, and practices. With that in mind, let’s focus our thoughts this week on our commitment to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. We will use the following personal testimony of the Apostle Paul as our discussion starter:

“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”

Acts 20:26-27

This is a statement which should not be passed over lightly. It is a truly remarkable assertion, as Paul states emphatically that he cannot be held accountable for any person’s not knowing the truth about Jesus Christ because he has failed to share it. Can this be said about you? About me? Have I, have you, been faithful in sharing the truth of God’s grace to everyone we have met?

I, for one, cannot in good conscience and with sincerity say that this is true of me. I know there have been times in which I have failed to share the Gospel when given the opportunity. Many of these opportunities haunt me, as I know that God was encouraging me to share His grace. Added to that are, I’m sure, many other times I am not even aware of. It is my desire to share with everyone I meet, but too often I pass by opportunities. Perhaps I feel I don’t have time, or they are not willing to listen, or I am fearful of some form of reprisal, but, too often I am not faithful to share.

And how about our behavior? Is our behavior a testimony to our belief? The Bible says that believers should be more and more like Christ with each passing day. Our lives should be in imitation of His life. Our behavior should mimic His behavior. Our actions and attitudes should be in alignment with His actions and attitudes.

Matthew Henry tells about a pastor acquaintance of his in one of his commentaries. He said that his friend was such an eloquent speaker that when he was in the pulpit he should never come down. But, when he was not in the pulpit, his behavior was so unbecoming his life in Christ that he should never go up into the pulpit. Do our actions, our attitudes, our behavior, our speech, our conduct, our way of life, bring reproach to our Savior’s name?

Sadly, it seems to me that cultural beliefs and behaviors have infiltrated the church. The vocabulary of the world is heard from the lips of professing believers. The practices of our culture are becoming more and more embraced by those who profess to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps it would be wise to ask ourselves that probing question: If I were arrested and put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict? If my co-workers were brought in to give testimony, could they give supportive evidence to validate my claim? What about my family? If my wife, my children, my grandchildren, were brought to bear testimony to the reality of my profession, could they honestly say that I truly bear the characteristics of a child of God?

Paul says that he had been faithful in sharing the Gospel with everyone, and therefore he was innocent of the blood of all men. There would be no one who could bear testimony that would prove otherwise. He was definitely one who would be welcomed into the very presence of God hearing those words, “Well done My good and faithful servant.”

What do you think you would hear? If you died before the sun sets on another day, would you be welcomed with those words? Do you think God could testify to His pleasure with the testimony of your life? If not, as you reflect on your present lifestyle, why not resolve to make a 180 degree turn. It’s called repentance. Cast aside those things that are bringing reproach to His name and clothe yourself with the righteousness of Christ. As Paul said in his correspondence with the Romans, let’s “reckon our bodies to be dead to sin and alive to righteousness.” God will be honored, lives will be touched, and your life will bear sincere testimony to the truth of your profession.