I recently saw a van going down the road with a considerable amount of advertisement promoting a particular company’s cleaning service.  It was fully wrapped in the company’s logos, numbers, websites, and service details.  However, upon closer examination, the van was filthy.  The exterior, though heavily wrapped in advertisement looked like it had not been washed in weeks.  The windshield was cracked, the sides were dirty, and the wheels were blackened with brake dust.  As we stopped together at a red light, I got a peek of the interior; the dash was littered with fast-food bags and old soda cans.  My first thought was, “If their vehicle is a testimony to their service, I wouldn’t want them to clean anything I own.”

     The van turned at the next light, and as it faded in my rear-view mirror I thought about the power of testimony.  The van advertised a service that failed to meet its own standards.  I am sure the particular company operates a fine business (and perhaps my evaluation was unfair), however, in that moment, they lost all credibility with me because the condition of their vehicle did not correspond with the promise of their advertisement.  Sadly, the same is true with many Christians. If you advertise, identify, and promote the name of Jesus, make sure your life matches your lips.