Christianity's Impact On America

The following are three essentials that are required in order for Christianity to make a stronger impact on America:

• Christians must begin to live more like Jesus (1 John 2:5-6; cf. 1 Peter 2:19-21).
• The Christian faith should be presented without any adulteration (Acts 20:20,24-27; cf. Gal. 1:6-9; 1 Peter 4:11).
• Christians should emphasize agape love, which is at the heart of the gospel (John 3:16; 1 John 4:7-12; cf. 1 Corinthians 13).

The above essentials are also the key to effective evangelism around the world. As messengers of God, we are to be human mirrors who reflect, without distortion, a growing likeness to our Lord (Gal. 2:20). We are never to walk in "craftiness" (2 Corinthians 4:2).

If our daily living reflects an image that is spiritually blurred, the truth of God's saving grace may not be clearly communicated to others (2 Corinthians 4:3-5). We are also to share the biblical essentials of our faith clearly (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). We must not handle the Word of God "deceitfully" (2 Corinthians 4:2). And our lives are to be marked by love for God and our fellowman (1 John 5:1-2).

Dear reader, let us be certain that we reflect a clear image of Jesus' likeness, the truth of God, and selfless love (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:11-15).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets

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