Think how many times you’ve engaged with somebody about Christianity only to find the person not interested because they’ve been turned off by those they say are a “bunch of hypocrites.”
In the past 30 minutes alone, I interacted with a mechanic who told me he has “no interest in religion,” and I wondered if this was his experience. Respecting his time, I quickly told him the difference between religion and a relationship with Jesus before giving him my personal testimony tract that he willingly accepted.
At the same establishment, a brother in Christ told me he’s getting ready to attend his high school reunion. When I attended mine, a fellow thanked me for leading him to Christ decades ago and told me how he’s influenced people positively ever since.
Jim Rattay is Arizona’s winningest high school football coach, with nine state championships at four different schools. In his first assignment, he took a 1–9 team to the state championship plus his son, Tim, became an NFL quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers.
Jim gives God the glory, modeling excellence and calling young people to follow his example in always giving their best. He told me how many he’s coached whom he’s pointed to Jesus. His winning ways while serving his players have given him a powerful platform to influence thousands for Christ.
Same thing with Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback for Alabama’s outstanding football team. After winning the national championship last year, the first thing he said on nationwide television when interviewed was, “First of all, I want to give all the glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!”
In the Bible, Daniel was one who stood up in a fall-down culture of idolatry and immorality similar to America today. As a young man, he was promoted to governmental leadership because of his excellent behavior and healthy appearance, being found “Ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers” (Dan. 1:20b). Daniel was a statesman leader in four different administrations, and one king placed him over 120 officials. “Daniel was preferred above the presidents and officials because an excellent spirit was in him” (Dan.6:3a).
Instructions for Impact
In our post-Christian culture that is hostile and antagonistic to Christianity and a biblical worldview on today’s important issues, how are we to conduct ourselves as we look forward to and pray for a day of visitation by God? The days in which we live are, as my friend Mike Bickle describes, both “alarming and exciting.” The reality is that immorality, dishonesty, homosexuality and incivility are on one side, yet urgency, fervency, expectancy and opportunity are emerging increasingly on our side through passionate and purposeful disciples of Jesus.
Peter the Apostle addressed this same challenge in A.D. 62 when he wrote his first epistle to believers in the midst of a similar time. He outlined three components that they and we should focus upon to be influencers in the days when God is preparing to visit the land.
“Live your lives honorably (“keep your behavior excellent,” AMP) among the Gentiles, so that though they speak against you as evildoers, they shall see your good works (“observ(e) your good deeds, AMP) and thereby glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Pet. 2:12).
1. Excellent Behavior
In his letter to the persecuted Christians, Peter called them to provoke curiosity among the pagans by their conduct in three specific realms: relating to government, in the workplace and in the home. When onlookers inquired about the quality of their lifestyle, they followed 1 Pet. 3:15b, “Always be ready to give an answer to every man who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”
Where ever God has placed us, it’s imperative that we be people of authenticity, integrity, charity and humility. We really are the only Bible that many people will ever read!
Tertullian, a Christian author, wrote in A.D. 200 that the early Christian community was having major impact with people turning to Christ because of their excellent behavior in a time of visitation:
• They avoided entertainment, such as gory gladiatorial spectacles.
• No one was jailed for crimes but only for his faith.
• No slaves were seen in Christian services.
• As plagues hit, believers ministered to the sick and dying while the heathen deserted them.
• They cared for the discarded babies and wounded cast into the streets.
Onlookers observed, “See how these Christians love one another.” Multitudes were positively influenced, then converted! May this be said again of us in our developing day of visitation not only because of private church services but more importantly, our engagement and exemplary example in the public sphere.
2. Observable Good Deeds
Peter exhorted the early Christian community the same way Paul did with those in Ephesus. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).
We are not saved by good works, but we prove the genuineness of our faith through them.
Opportunities to express God’s love through good works are all around! They often provide a pathway for sharing the transformative message of the gospel through our testimony. This is why I offer my personal testimony tract to a few people daily after serving them practically.
“Whenever God’s love is shown, He is making His presence known.” Consider:
—Reaching out compassionately to a single woman in a crisis pregnancy situation.
—Engaging in efforts to alleviate suffering and hopelessness among the sick, homeless and dying.
—Affording support and encouragement to someone going through an unexpected death, divorce or job loss.
—Providing a warm welcome to a new neighbor with a meal and kind offer of assistance in a time of disorientation and feeling alone.
—Helping a mother with groceries as she juggles her baby and uncooperative toddler.
This weekend, we continued our outreach to children from the inner city whose daddy died two years ago, having them over for a sleepover with bowling and a birthday party where we gave them electronic children’s Bibles. Their beautiful, persevering mom, whom we’ve been blessed to serve for years, joined us. What joy it is to follow “true religion is to care for widows and orphans” (see James 1:27).
3. Time of Visitation
A time of visitation is when there is an inbreaking of God to rescue a collapsing culture. Although many are currently asleep concerning the serious condition of America, God is stirring the hearts of believers to pray passionately and act obediently for another spiritual awakening. God’s 2 Chronicles 7:14 promise to bring healing to our land can happen if we heed His call.
We have seen this in the past on many occasions when God’s people awakened to the urgency of the hour and responded accordingly. Reflect upon the First and Second Great Awakenings; Latter Rain; Welsh and Hebrides Revivals; the Pentecostal outpouring; the Charismatic and Jesus Movements.
When people lament that “the church in America is dying,” I remind them of Lazarus who stunk and actually was dead but whom Jesus raised up four days after his burial. Likewise, God is moving across this land and calling forth a prophetic people to align with His promise for the “harvest at the end of the age” (Matt. 13:39). Our “excellent behavior” and “observable good deeds” in a “time of visitation” provides the powerful catalyst as we share the gospel faithfully today.
Here’s the deal: revivalist Leonard Ravenhill said, “The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity!” May we all do our part to influence others to see the incredible harvest for which we all long before His glorious return.
Curt Landry 
Michael L. Brown 
Rabbi Eric Tokajer 
