Ads for Christ
February 18th, 2010Ads of one sort or another are always in front of us: on TV, in magazines, on billboards, on cars, boxes, over the radio–everywhere. Sometimes they annoy us and sometimes we try to ignore them, yet companies still use advertising. Why? Because they work. Perhaps there is something we can learn from advertising to help us influence the world we live in. Let’s examine two reasons ads work that we can use to promote Christ to those around us.
First, ads work when they consistently and repetitively present you with a product or service. The repetition familiarizes you with their product and brings it to your mind continually in the hopes that you will think of their product next time you go to the store. Likewise, Jesus intended for us to live in a way that we are constantly showing others a Christian life. Jesus describes us as a light that should not be hidden (Matthew 5:14-15, cf. Ephesians 5:7-13). He emphasizes that men should see what we are doing and in turn glorify God (Matthew 5:16). Christians are meant to be a constant reminder and advertisement that there is a great and glorious God men should serve.
Second, ads work when they promote positive reactions toward the product they advertise. It is not enough just to be seen and known as a Christian. We must show others what it is like to be a believer. It should be that when others see Christians they should think of kind, loving, caring, fun-loving yet wholesome people (cf. 1 Timothy 4:12). Christians should exhibit an inner peace and tranquility that is desirable to others (cf. John 14:27, Philippians 4:7-9, 1 Peter 3:1-4). In addition, Peter encourages us to keep our behavior excellent among non-Christians so they will not be able to call us hypocrites, but rather they should see who we are and glorify God (1 Peter 2:12).
We need to focus our lives on becoming ads for Christ. When we exhibit and live a Christ-like life we can make lasting and influential impressions upon others. These impressions can lead those who do not know God to seek Him and you can be there to help them find Him.
