Written by
Christopher Mentzer
Recently I received an e-mail from Ryan Hoover that have several photos attached. Among the pictures was a family shot of himself, Regina and their daughter Rachel, a picture of their new apartment, the grocery store where Ryan is manager, and the last picture was of Ryan himself which almost caught me by surprise. He was wearing a bright red T-shirt with white letters: W.W.J.D. on the front, he also wore a necklace with bright silver cross, he was carrying a black bible with the words HOLY BIBLE emblazoned in gold lettering, and he was leaning against his car featuring a bumper sticker that read: God Is Awesome!! I wrote him back telling him that he was missing the giant rainbow wig and a placard that read: John 3: 16.
His response is as follows and, since he was using all caps, I assumed he was angry:
RYAN: HOW CAN I BE WRONG? I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO WEAR THESE CHRISTIAN T-SHIRTS BUT I NEVER FELT WORTHY ENOUGH. I’VE SEEN OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE WEAR THEM. NOW THAT I AM A CHRISTIAN I FEEL JUSTIFIED IN WEARING THEM. WHY DO YOU SAY I AM WRONG?
Here is my response:
CHRIS: First off, I’m sorry that you are upset. I didn’t mean to offend. Second, I did not say you are wrong, I just don’t approve of such T-shirts and here’s why. The life of a Christian is 24/7 whether you are in the assembly, at home, on the job, sleeping, whatever. It is not something you put on like a suit long enough to attend worship service then take it off when you return home. People who wear shirts like that are simply Public Relations for God. There idea is to show God still exists and Jesus still cares. However to those people, religion is more of an emotional thing and not what the bible teaches. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24) Where does one find the truth? In the scriptures of course. You should well remember John 8: 31-32.
To show people you are a Christian
is by example. Living your life
different from those of the world. The
way you talk and socialize should be different from others. Paul wrote, “33. Be
not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals. 34. Awake to soberness righteously, and sin
not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak `this' to move you to shame.” (1 Cor. 15: 33-34)
An simple example is this: If in
a group and someone tells an off-color joke, do you immediately leave or do you
listen to it and politely laugh so as not to seem rude? Please re-read 1 Corinthians especially chapters
5-8.
Jesus said in his sermon on the mount, “14. Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15. Neither do `men' light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. 16. Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5: 14-16) But that light is not our own; it is a reflection of Jesus who is the Light of the World. (John 8:12)
I assume you’ve seen these young
adults with the slogan shirts in the store.
Next time you see some of these people, actually listen to what they say
and how they act. And remember what Jesus
said in Matt 7: 15, “Beware of false prophets, who
come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.”
Almost a week passed by with no word from Ryan. I had feared that he wanted nothing more to
do with me. Then I got this message:
RYAN: Sorry about the message in all caps. I was indeed upset but not to the point of
shouting like that. My caps button got
stuck and all my messages were in caps for about a week and others thought I
was shouting too. The reason I took so
long in responding is I re-read 1 Corinthians as you suggested and you’re
right…again. I also came across two
kids with “Jesus Loves Me” T-shirts.
Both were in the liquor department eyeing the different bottles. While listening to them, they took the
Lord’s name in vain several times and were talking about some college
party. After one of them left, I
approached the other one and inquired his T-shirt and manner of speech. He said that God forgives him and he’s
covered by grace. I agreed with him but
also showed him Romans 6 from my pocket-sized bible especially verses 1 and 2, “What
shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we
any longer live therein?” His jaw
dropped when I showed him. Apparently
he hasn’t read the bible and went by whatever his preacher told him. I also showed him Matt. 15: 9, “But in
vain do they worship me, Teaching `as their' doctrines the precepts of men.” I then invited him to study with a friend
and me and he’s accepted.
My reply is as follows:
CHRIS: Glad to help. I still notice a bit of frustration in your manner when you said
I’m right again. Remember, it’s not me
that’s right but the Word of God. Going
by what the bible tells us makes us all correct. Remember the slogan:
“What Would Jesus Do”. Do you
think He would wear a T-shirt like that, or wear a cross on a necklace,
especially after being nailed to one?
Just live your life differently from the rest of the world and people
will notice.