At our men’s retreat last weekend, our speaker asked us to describe how we would respond to a person who might say, “I’ve noticed something different about you, and I’m curious to know what that might be.” It was an exercise in discipleship to help us think through the steps required over time to help get a person from point A (a curious seeker) to point B (a Christian who makes disciples of others).

I’ve always believed the best and worst advertisement for Christianity is a Christian. It was Gandhi who famously said, “I like your Christ, but not your Christianity.” We most likely hear much more about people’s negative impressions of Christians than their positive ones. Yet, every believer is called to be salt and light in this world. As salt, our lives should create a thirst for what we have. As light, we must be ready to show them the way.

As salt, our lives should create a thirst for what we have.

This got me to thinking about what kind of behavior Christians should exhibit to attract others to Christ. As the Apostle Paul exhorted, “only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Phil 1:27) How can we live to create in others a healthy curiosity as to what makes us tick? Here are seven characteristics of gospel-worthy behavior:

1. Honor your time commitments.

Be the guy that always shows up on time and someone will eventually notice. A friend of mine once remarked to me that people who are habitually late have authority issues. I think he’s right. Consistent tardiness and last-minute cancellations display a disrespect of others’ time. It communicates, perhaps unconsciously, that “my time is more important than yours.” Faithfulness to time commitments is gospel-worthy behavior.

2. Maintain a positive attitude.

Be the guy who masters his feelings. Don’t wear your burdens on your sleeve. Jesus accused the Pharisees of purposely looking gloomy so others would see they were fasting. Gospel worthy behavior is motivated by an understanding that God knows our burdens and that’s enough.

3. Show genuine concern for others.

Men in groups tend to talk about themselves. It’s a subtle contest to measure up, to let the others know you’re in the game. Don’t be that guy. Be the guy who’s interested in others. Be the guy who is sensitive to what other guys are going through. Ask questions, sincerely seeking to know what’s going on in other men’s lives.

4. Seek to encourage others.

Be the guy that seeks to lift up others with encouraging words. It would be easy to join in with all the downers who love to moan and complain. Don’t be that guy. Practice turning complaints and criticisms into positive statements. We are called to encourage one another and there are many ways to do that. Using people’s names, sincere compliments, showing gratitude, and even telling the other guy that you’re praying for him. (And making sure you do.)

5. Calmness amid calamity.

At this point, stop reading this, and go read Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If.” And then come back.

Okay, now that you’re back, purpose to be that guy. It’s the guy whose relationship with God enables him not to react to the world around him.

6. Perform your best in every task.

Be the guy who does what he does for God’s approval and not man’s. Be the guy who sees what he does as a holy task. Nothing will transform your career like maintaining a perspective that sees the big picture. A gospel-worthy life lives in light of eternity.

7. Be generous to others.

In a materialistic world generous people stand out. A gospel-worthy life is lived as a channel of blessing to others. So, be the guy who holds things loosely. Remember, all you have is what you’ve been given as a stewardship of God’s grace. Therefore, use what you can to extend grace to others.

Years ago there was a Goodyear commercial that challenged you to be all you can be. It ended by saying, “The Goodyear blimp doesn’t just show up for just anybody. So don’t be just anybody. Be Blimpworthy.” Thinking about how Christians are often viewed in a bad light, we desperately need me who will strive to exhibit those character traits that stand out as bright lights in a dark world. So don’t be just anybody, be gospelworthy.