Don't Be a Facade

From an email I sent my Sunday School class when I travelled overseas back in 2006. I was just thinking about it and thought that I would post my thoughts from that trip. I have edited it a little bit from the original.
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I am staying in Brugge, Belgium which is an unbelievably beautiful city with buildings from the Middle Ages and much history to it. It is unbelievable to see the beautiful and ornate churches and all of the crosses on buildings, hospitals, churches and all of the mentions of Godhuis (God's house) and such around the city. But it is so disturbing to see, hear and feel the utter darkness that surrounds this place. It just goes to show how "symbolism" is such an empty expression of true faith in Jesus Christ. It goes to show how "churchianity" can be such a tool of Satan to blind people to the truth. It just reminds me of how real I must be in my relationship with Christ and how obedience to Him is the true meaning of showing faith. We must continually examine our own lives to determine if we are just living a symbolic Christianity that does not lead to salvation and that is disobedient to God or if we are truly exercising our faith through obedience to God's will in our life and the commands that He has given us and has put before us.
I want to challenge everyone in our class to think whether or not you are living a symbolic Christian life or if you are truly living to bring glory to God. Are you living your life in a way that those around you know (and hear) about the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Is your relationship with Christ the most important thing to you. Do you have "churchianity" rather than a relationship with Christ? Are you actively sharing the Gospel with others? Do you have a burden for those that are lost and going to Hell outside of a relationship with Jesus? Is there anything in your life that may be a stumbling block for a brother or sister in Christ?

As I told a co-worker last night, as a Christian, I cannot separate my spiritual life from my "everyday" life. My relationship to Christ should be my life and should permeate every aspect of my life including my family, my work, my relationships, my political views, etc., etc., etc.
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