This is an excerpt from a terrific article by Terry Delaney over at the Said at Southern weblog:
We are more than happy to flex our theological brain power in a debate, but what about actually living what we believe? I am the first to admit that I am a hypocrite in that I do not always practice what I preach, but that does not excuse me from behaving in a manner worthy of my calling. The same is probably true for most of us. How many of us would be found in compliance with the commandment given by Jesus in John 13:34, “just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” The very next thing Jesus says is that “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
As Baptists we could probably learn a thing or two about loving one another. For example, though there are some that are able to discuss the subject of Calvinsim and agree to disagree, there are many who cannot. This is antithetical to what Christ taught. I think we should strive to be called Christians rather than telling everyone that we are a Christian.
I am not saying that we should quit preaching the gospel with our mouths. This is the means by which God has ordained that His people will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (see Romans 10:14-17). However, if we do not live out our faith in opposition to the world, then can we really preach the gospel effectively? It is my prayer that we who proclaim Christ with our lips will do so with our lives as well.
Via: Said at Southern