Easier said than done

Many times, we see people who say "I am a Christian" but their witness isn't showing that they are. There is so much more to truly being a Christian than just saying you are. Everything you do is your witness to the world and they should see a difference in you as a Christian than they see in the rest of the world. The bible gives guidance on how we should live as a Christian, what commands we need to follow. Jesus said the most important command is to love God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength. The second most important command is to love your neighbor as yourself. Now many people take that statement out of context. Loving your neighbor does not mean that you accept everything about your neighbor. You can love them, but dislike choices they make in their lives. It's not an all or nothing situation. Love the sinner, hate the sin, and yes, the bible also says it is your duty as a Christian to rebuke fellow Christians through love when they are on a sinful path but I digress. Living a Christian life means your entire lifestyle, not mere instances. All Christians sin and will continue to sin, but we are supposed to repent of those sins, ask forgiveness and turn from the sin, not ask forgiveness but keep repeating the sin. We have to walk the walk so to speak because others that are non-Christian or new Christians are watching our witness daily. How can you lead someone to Christ if they look at you, hear the words you are saying, but see actions that are contrary to what you speak? We cannot say one thing and do another as then we become stumbling blocks for someone else's walk. The bible is very clear on this as well stating that we are not to be stumbling blocks, that if something we do causes someone else to stumble on their walk, whether it is wrong or not, we are to cast it aside so that we do not cause that person to stumble. I think this is important as too many times we say all the right things and try our best to lead people to Christ but then we make decisions that make people second guess all of it because it goes against what we tell them is good and right. It is hard to do as we are human and we make mistakes and we sin, but it is how we handle those mistakes and sins that represent our witness for Jesus. Being a true Christian isn't easy, it requires a lot of self sacrifice as our life is really not our own. Everything about us belongs to Jesus and it is for Him and through Him that we are to do all things. If we cast Him aside for the things we want, we are not walking correctly with Him and we become stumbling blocks. Anything that is meant to be in our lives or is good for our lives will be provided to us by God and if He wants things for us, He will make sure we get what He wants us to have. But when we make our own decisions that run contrary to what the bible tells us God wants for us, then we are adding our own agenda to God and saying He alone isn't enough. I have been thinking a lot about all of this lately as I have done more and more bible study. If we truly follow God's plans for us, we shouldn't have to add anything to what He provides for us no matter how badly we may want to do so. It is hard to do but I believe it is so important to try to do and so rewarding in achieving it. It is my goal to try and live this way. Just some thoughts that have been concerning me a bit. Thank you Lord for blessing me and loving me. I love you so very much!