“If you’re brought up Jewish, don’t assume that you can lean back in the arms of your religion and take it easy, feeling smug because you’re an insider to God’s revelation, a connoisseur of the best things of God, informed on the latest doctrines! I have a special word of caution for you who are sure that you have it all together yourselves and, because you know God’s revealed Word inside and out, feel qualified to guide others through their blind alleys and dark nights and confused emotions to God. While you are guiding others, who is going to guide you? I’m quite serious. While preaching “Don’t steal!” are you going to rob people blind? Who would suspect you? The same with adultery. The same with idolatry. You can get by with almost anything if you front it with eloquent talk about God and his law. The line from Scripture, “It’s because of you Jews that the outsiders are down on God,” shows it’s an old problem that isn’t going to go away.” Romans 2:17-24

This translation from The Message reminded me of the way I carry myself in regards to my business. Since I am a photographer, I make sure that my social media accounts and home are filled with creative and high quality images. They are, after all, a representation of my work. It’s the same way that using a dentist with bad teeth or a physical trainer with poor health might make you uneasy of their expertise.

Who’s going to respect a business that doesn’t start with itself? 

Throughout history, the people of God have been in a similar position. They have always been on display, representing the true and living God. Unfortunately, many professing believers have been a poor testimony for the Lord.

Today, because we call ourselves Christians, we turn the heads of curious passersby. As if by reflex, people naturally watch us. They want to see if we are practicing what we preach and living differently because of it. Are we representing ourselves in a way that gives merit to our faith? Or are we damaging God’s reputation?