Do They Know Me?

Someone spoke to me today about my background and my religious heritage. Interestingly, they had made some assumptions about me that were not true. They thought I was associated with a branch of Christianity with which I have little or no connection. They based that on these false assumptions. But, I had given them little other knowledge of me to remove those assumptions.

They began to speak to me about what I believe and how I live out my Christianity. Again, they were way off in their understanding of me and my faith. This happens to me a great deal with people who do not have much contact with me or know much about me. But, this person, while not a part of our church family, has had a great deal of contact with me over the years and I thought should know me pretty well.

Through this interaction, I was struck with the reality that it is my responsibility to share my faith and my relationship with Christ. I am the one who has not represented myself and ultimately Christ well before this person. I could easily blame them for their ignorance of me, but I was convicted that by now this person should know what I believe about faith and how to have a right relationship with Jesus Christ. They didn't and that is my fault.

This person really didn't know me for who I am and what I believe and for the sake of my witness for Christ, they should have. From now on as I interact with other people, I am going to ask myself the question: Do they know who I am? After a little bit of interaction with me, friends, neighbors and associates should know that I am a born again follower of Jesus Christ and that I live for Him. They need to hear about and see Jesus in me. I may be the only "Jesus" they will ever see. If they know me, that will give me the opportunity to help them know Jesus Himself.