Christians fail to be good examples of Godly people when they let outside influences rule their life instead of God. Lewis explains how our faults provide proof to non-believers, “ Our careless lives set the outer world talking; and we give them grounds for talking in a way that throws doubt on the truth of Christianity itself” (208). Non-Christians watch how Christians act and respond to situations and feel that they should always act better. We need to remember our actions speak louder than words and make sure how we conduct our lives is pleasing to God. Christians seem to be judged more harshly than non-believers. For example if one visited a Christian school the kids would be expected to behave in a better manner than if one visited a public school. Expectations are different in the way a neighbor views a Christian home or non-Christian home. Lewis continues the debate by telling us that it is expected, “that any Christian will be nicer than the same person would be if he were not a Christian” (210). If we have truly accepted God and make him first in our lives we will be a better and “nicer” person. Even Christians can have situations where they are not nice but they should remember to handle it in the best way possible. Christians need to constantly strive to be nice and do things that are pleasing to the Lord.
As Christians we need to remember that it is not only an outward appearance that is important but God must be made first in our lives. Lewis reminds us just because people our nice it is not necessarily from God it could be, “…as a result of natural causes and early upbringing, have certain temperaments…” (210). People can be a very nice and not have God in there lives. I have known some of the nicest, kindest people yet they do not have God as their foundation. Lewis goes on to explain, “A world of nice people, content in their own niceness, looking no further, turned away from God, would be just as desperately in need of salvation as a miserable world – and might even be more difficult to save (216). If we are just nice people the outside world will notice the difference and question Christianity. We need to be the complete Christian by letting God make us even better than we think we can be. If we commit ourselves to God’s plan he will make us the best person and the people around us will notice the difference we represent!
