The apostle Paul wrote the following, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:1 – 3). Paul truly felt pain for their lack of understanding. The apostle desired that his people would listen to what God had to say. It is something that happens today, people refuse to believe in God.
Paul lived the Christian life before his kinsmen. He made sure that he lived close to God and even stopped to check his faithfulness from time to time. He realized that if he were not living for God those whom he tried to reach would not want to follow a way that he would not follow. He wrote, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain … But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Cor. 9:24 – 27). Paul serves to show all Christians that they must live the life they ask others to lead.
Christians must remember to stay on task every day. The Christian cannot give those they are trying to win a reason to point a finger and say, “If that’s the way Christians act, I am glad I am not one”. This means in public, with friends, with family, with coworkers the Christian must show a Christ like spirit. He was willing to sacrifice Himself for others and so must each Christian. Those who try and live like the world and then wonder why they cannot influence others for God must look within themselves and see their true nature. Such a one is trying to straddle the fence between God and Satan and that is just not possible. Either they are following God or Satan. They must make the choice.
To live closer to God a person must really become a student of the word. Not go to a class and sit and listen, but a student who studies the subjects and knows what the teacher is talking about and is able to add to the class. It also takes personal study with Bible dictionaries and commentaries. It takes reading good periodicals and books that will help the person grow and think. Every Christian is supposed to grow (2 Peter 3:18). The failure to grow will be a detriment to anyone aspiring to bring others to the Lord.
Being concerned about others is a true mark of one who is a real Christian. Being a Christian is much more than just attending services, it is being concerned about the lost, willing and looking for ways to show others the Way. It is being involved with good works and working as hard for God as one does for themselves and their families. It is being careful about how one speaks and acts thinking more of others than of self.