Do you know what being a true Christian is? It is never having to announce to the world you are Christian. Many who called themselves Christians feel the need to announce to everyone that they are Christians.

But are they?

Maybe they thought they think they are, but their actions and deeds speak louder than their words. It shows all who are willing to see who they truly are, and it is not a Christian.

A true Christian shows through their actions and deeds that they walk in the steps of the Lord Jesus Christ, that they love their fellow man, that they do not hoard material things at the expense of their fellow man when they are going through a tough time.

With true Christians, no one ever has to ask if they walk the path that Jesus has laid out because it is evident. With those who only speak the words, people have to ask because they cannot see it. No one sees faith when a little rain fell in their lives. No one sees them willingly help their fellow man in need but instead see them turn away.

So how do we deal with those who only speak of knowing the Lord but fail to walk the path the Lord would want them to. I would say we do nothing as we cannot impose true faith on someone, true faith cannot be found in everyone, and it not for us to judge them as it is written in Romans 14:1–13:

14 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master1 that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since she gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess2 to God.” 12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Do Not Cause Another to Stumble 13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

So let us go forward as true Christians walking the path as shining examples to others of what the Lord would want us all to be. Through our actions, not words, we show others the true way to spirituality. In our actions, others may follow. At today’s press conference on the Coronavirus, Vice President Pence painted an unrealistic rosy picture and, seemingly eschewing science, which he has been prone to do, never recommended that we wear masks. He did, however, say several times that we should pray. Now let’s be clear we should wear masks, we should practice social distancing, we should avoid large gatherings, and we should do all those things because it has proven to be the best way to slow the spread of the virus and make no mistake the Lord does expect that we will take care of ourselves. That we will treat ourselves with love and consideration. Because as it is written in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

So Pence was half right.

We must do what is medically prudent to protect ourselves. However, it would be wrong to openly dismiss or mock his calling for us to pray as a nation. After all, prayer is a potent tool, and if we have faith in HIM, the Lord is our most powerful ally. 1 John 5:14-15 states:

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

We know that it is precisely in times like this that Satan will try to shake the faith of even the strongest. He will ask them to look to the heavens and ask the Lord, why have you forsaken us. But it also precisely at these times that we must lean on our faith, open our hearts and remember that we are children of the Lord, and even if we do not understand why some things are taking place, know this, HE still walks with us, still breathes life into us each day. HE does so because HE loves us and will never turn away from us. The Bible tells us this in many verses, including Deuteronomy 31:8:

8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

And Isaiah 41:10:

10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

When I have doubt when my body is weakened from illness and fear creeps into my mind, it is at those times that I call on my faith to strengthen me and guide me back to my spiritual journey. I empty my mind, close my eyes and talk to the Lord. I tell HIM that I believe in HIM, his son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, and it is with this faith that I cast aside my fears and replace them with the belief that it is at HIS hand that I shall be healed. But I am also acutely aware that prayer for prayer’s sake is not enough. I must remember that my prayers can only work to revive my mind, body, and soul with the Lord, and I can only be with the Lord if I genuinely have faith in HIM.

So in these troubling times, take the necessary steps to protect yourself and those around you. But also believe and lean on your faith. Take the Vice President’s advice and pray because the Lord is listening.