Are You Asymptomatic?
While listening to our Senior Pastor’s sermon (34:00 minute mark) this past Sunday at church, he said something that I could not help noting. The word “asymptomatic”.
He described how this word has become a staple in modern vocabulary. In the COVID-19 era this word has been thrown around a lot. Some use it for good. Some use it for bad.
For example, some people who have tested positive for COVID may be asymptomatic. Even though you are asymptomatic, you could still pass the virus to other people.
The good and the bad are hidden within those two sentences. The bottom line is we need to understand what asymptomatic actually means.
One common definition is “producing or showing no symptoms”. Symptoms are basically features or signs of the existence of something (mostly an undesirable condition/situation).
Our Pastor used this example to connect the outward expression of our faith in Jesus Christ.
Many of us are asymptomatic Christians.
In Matthew chapter 7 verse 20, Jesus says, “Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
Here Jesus is talking about false prophets and warning the people to be aware that there will be many who come along who claim to be speaking on behalf of God, but are false. They will be found out by their fruit (or what they do/how they live).
Later in the same passage, Jesus connects this idea to people who would describe themselves as Jesus-followers and do good things thinking that is good enough.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus says to His disciples that the world will know that they are His disciples by the way they love one another.
Bottom line: Jesus-followers should be noticeable.
Many people have said that they do not need to evangelize with their words because they will just live a good life and hope people notice and may ask about why they seem different.
Many people have said they must tell the good news about Jesus every chance they get, and yet sometimes their lives negate the very Gospel they proclaim.
So, what are we to do?
Both ideas are important. We must preach the Gospel. We must live the Gospel. It is a “both/and” situation, not an “either/or” situation.
Our lives should be symptomatic of following Jesus. Our lives should look different than others around us. And our words about Christ are one symptom of how He has transformed us.
Think about it this way: Are we loving? Are we joyful? Do we exhibit peace? Are we patient with one another? Are we kind to those who disagree with us or have wronged us? Are we exhibiting goodness? Are we faithful to God? Our word? His Word? Our families? Our spouses? Are we gentle? Do we have self-control?
These are just a few questions we can ask ourselves to inventory our lives to see if we show the symptoms of our faith in Jesus.
Do not let your faith be asymptomatic.
Choose today to honor God in word and deed, and to make His message of love, grace, and forgiveness known throughout the world. In the words of a great hymn, “Let us join our hands that world will know that we are one in the bond of love.”
A love that is symptomatic of a life transformed by Jesus.
Anyway, I was just thinking…
This article originally appeared on www.revkrishutchinson.com
▪ Kris Hutchinson is the author of I Was Just Thinking… as well as the Associate Pastor and Student Minister at Mineral Baptist Church (VA). Kris’s weekly articles have received over a thousand views in 31 different countries since November 2017. He brings over a decade of experience to his current role where he is dedicated to equipping people of all ages to see God at work in their everyday life. You can find Kris and his work on www.revkrishutchinson.com.
