An Associated Press story this week about actress Sandra Bullock brought home the importance of Christians living upright and honorable lives.

Ms. Bullock, who portrays Leigh Anne Tuohy in the new film “The Blind Side,” said she observed the Christian mother to “walk the walk” of her faith. The movie recounts the story of the white Tuohy family welcoming a homeless young African American teen into their home, later adopting him as their son. That young man, Michael Oher, is today an offensive lineman for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens after being that team’s first-round draft pick earlier this year. The film is one of the great hits at the box office right now.

Ms. Bullock told the AP that the Tuohys, who attend Grace Evangelical Church in Memphis, allowed her to have “faith in those who say they represent a faith.” “[Mrs. Tuohy] was so open and honest and forthright,” Ms. Bullock said, “and I said, wow, I finally met someone who practices but doesn’t preach.”
 

The actress noted that she had observed other Christians who promoted their faith but did not live their life as they preached, even admitting to the AP that she was wary of Christians before she met the Tuohys.

This is an important message for Christians. I think that we can’t be reminded enough that people are observing us—many of those people tainted by the poor testimony of others who have claimed to be Christians.

I think we can observe in this story how imperative it is that we are not only effectively talking about our faith in Jesus Christ, we are also living moral, principled lives that would please God and show those who are scrutinizing us that we are real.

You know, young hunters are taught the importance of aiming well before firing. Similarly, in the Christian life, I think we need to learn how to live out our faith before “firing” with our words. I’m not suggesting in the least that our witnessing is not important because God has certainly called us to reach others with the Gospel. But this AP story indicates how crucial it is to earn people’s trust, especially in this present age that distrusts Christianity.

There is great power in our testimony but only when we are living holy lives that bolster our words.

I think it behooves every Christian to do an occasional self-evaluation in order to ensure that there are not impediments to our being effective spokespersons and apologists for Jesus Christ. Our friends and neighbors and co-workers need to be able to see us as Sandra Bullock has identified Leigh Anne Tuohy.

We live in a fallen world, my friends. As Christians, we need to be constantly showing others that Christ in us makes all the difference in the world.

We must attempt to live out the maxim, “Not I, but Christ.”

That is a fitting conclusion to this column. We are nothing without Christ and we must ensure that we are constantly calling attention to Him as we humbly seek to show others that He — and only He — is the way to eternal life.

Preach it. But always make sure you’re also living it.