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<p><font size="5"><b>Practicing What We
Preach</b></font></p>
<p><i>Jonathan Falwell</i></p>
<p>An Associated Press story this week about actress Sandra Bullock
brought home the importance of Christians living upright and honorable
lives.</p>
<p>Ms. Bullock, who portrays Leigh Anne Tuohy in the new film “The
Blind Side,” said she observed the Christian mother to “walk
the walk” of her faith. The movie recounts the story of the
white Tuohy family welcoming a homeless young African American teen
into
their home, later adopting him as their son. That young man, Michael
Oher, is today an offensive lineman for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens
after being that team’s first-round draft pick earlier this
year. The film is one of the great hits at the box office right
now.</p>
<p>Ms. Bullock told the AP that the Tuohys, who attend Grace
Evangelical
Church in Memphis, allowed her to have “faith in those who say they
represent a faith.” “[Mrs. Tuohy] was so open and honest
and forthright,” Ms. Bullock said, “and I said, wow, I finally
met someone who practices but doesn’t preach.”</p>
<p>The actress noted that she had observed other Christians who
promoted
their faith but did not live their life as they preached, even
admitting to
the AP that she was wary of Christians before she met the Tuohys.</p>
<p>This is an important message for Christians. I think that we
can’t be reminded enough that people are observing us—many of
those people tainted by the poor testimony of others who have claimed
to be
Christians.</p>
<p>I think we can observe in this story how imperative it is that we
are
not only effectively talking about our faith in Jesus Christ, we are
also
living moral, principled lives that would please God and show those who
are
scrutinizing us that we are real.</p>
<p>You know, young hunters are taught the importance of aiming well
before
firing. Similarly, in the Christian life, I think we need to learn
how to live out our faith before “firing” with our words.
I’m not suggesting in the least that our witnessing is not important
because God has certainly called us to reach others with the Gospel.
But this AP story indicates how crucial it is to earn people’s trust,
especially in this present age that distrusts Christianity.</p>
<p>There is great power in our testimony but only when we are living
holy
lives that bolster our words.</p>
<p>I think it behooves every Christian to do an occasional
self-evaluation
in order to ensure that there are not impediments to our being
effective
spokespersons and apologists for Jesus Christ. Our friends and
neighbors and co-workers need to be able to see us as Sandra Bullock
has
identified Leigh Anne Tuohy.</p>
<p>We live in a fallen world, my friends. As Christians, we need to
be constantly showing others that Christ in us makes all the difference
in
the world.</p>
<p>Since my father’s passing in May 2008, I have attempted to live
out the maxim, “Not I, but Christ.”</p>
<p>That is a fitting conclusion to this column. We are nothing
without Christ and we must ensure that we are constantly calling
attention
to Him as we humbly seek to show others that He — and only He —
is the way to eternal life.</p>
<p>Preach it. But always make sure you’re also living it.</p>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined,
but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to
maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt
to abuse them, which would include their own government."
--George Washington</pre>
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