A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.    John 13:34-35 NKJV

Have you ever considered the fact that we are all walking billboards? How we speak, live our lives, and treat others shows where we stand. It shows whether we choose to honor God or serve the devil.

With social media, many people are all too happy to post their opinions and let us know where they stand on certain issues whether we want to know or not. Many people boldly speak their opinions.

Even if we remain silent, however, we are advertising. In our Scripture passage for today, Jesus said our love for one another is what shows whether or not we are His disciples. We are told in Galatians 5:14-15, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”

Whether we love , hate, or just flat out don’t care about others, it shows. Whether we intend to or not, we advertise where we stand in our walk with Christ. Galatians 5 speaks of the works of the flesh being evident. There is a long list of these including adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like. Verse 21 clearly tells us those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The fruit of the Spirit is also evident, and it includes love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We are on display. We are advertising for Christ or for the devil. People watch us to see if we are the real deal. They watch us to try to understand why we have peace and joy in trying times. Some want to see how they can get what we have when we have Christ in our lives. Many will watch us to see if we will slip up.

What are you advertising? Are you advertising a life lived in Christ which provides you with peace and joy. Are you exhibiting love and goodness and kindness to others?

We are called to be disciples of Christ. We are called to lead others to Christ. There is a great deal of power in the silent witness that is our day to day living. How we live and respond in good times and bad will show others whose side we are on.

And don’t think you are hiding your works of the flesh because remember Galatians 5:19 tells us they are evident. Just like the huge billboards you pass on the highways; they stick out for all the world to see.

Colossians 3:12 tells us to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another. We are told to forgive one another if we have a complaint against someone. We are to forgive just as Christ forgives us, we must forgive others.

What is your billboard advertising? Is it advertising love, humility, longsuffering and forgiveness? Or is a glaring endorsement of the works of the flesh.

Just like those big electronic billboards, our billboards are easily changed. We can change it to advertise the Christian lifestyle just by changing our ways. We can confess our sins and surrender our lives to God. When we do this, our billboard changes to advertise the peace and joy found in Christ. We can advertise the love and forgiveness that we have received for Christ by having this same love and forgiveness for others.

Whether you want to admit it or not, you are a walking billboard. What will you advertise?

Have a great day!