Most, if not all of us, who have a personal relationship with Jesus want to believe our witness is a good one. We want it to be the type that points others to Jesus and lights up the darkness of our daily human relationships, tasks, and struggles. Yet, some of us, if we are really honest with ourselves, may actually turn others away from Jesus by our message when we are faced with challenges and trials.
Ask yourself the following questions:
What is my initial response to change?
What is my response to disappointment or loss?
What is my response when I do not get my way?
What is my response when something goes wrong?
What is my response to bad news?
We get the opportunity many times a day to represent Jesus by our responses to these questions and many more.
1 Peter 2:12 NLT says, "Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world."
But what does it mean to "live properly" and to act with "honorable behavior"?
The Message version of the same verse says this, "Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives."
By comparing the two translations, we are clearly told to live and respond differently than those living "in the world". We should not be comfortable giving a typically accepted worldly response. With that said, let's name some typical responses, according to the world, to the aforementioned questions.
...Becoming angry, blaming others, judging others, demeaning others, panicking, worrying, resisting, pouting, starting rumors or gossiping, or maybe, just maybe, you even respond with the silent treatment...
More than likely we have all responded with one of the above worldly responses in a weak and vulnerable moment. As representatives of Jesus, when our responses are worldly, we can and must make it right by choosing to recognize those responses, adjust, and even apologize when necessary. Our aim should be to hold our responses captive until we can be sure they are pure, right, and true. So how can we do this? What steps can we take to avoid giving a hypocritical message to those around us, especially those who know we have a relationship with Jesus Christ?
First, we are to remain calm as we rest in God's promises. We are not to rely on ourselves for anything. God promises us that the Holy Spirit will always help us. We are assured of this in John 14:16-17 NIV as we are told, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you." So, we must trust that we will be given the right words via the Holy Spirit. In Proverbs 3:5-6 MSG we are told, "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track." As well, Proverbs 19:11 MSG states that, "Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget." Take a minute or two for the Holy Spirit to work in you in those situations when you might be tempted to respond quickly with actions or words that would hinder your witness.
Second, we are to embrace an attitude of serving others instead of ourselves. We are to humble ourselves and put others before us at all times. Matthew 25:40 CEV tells us, "The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.” As well, Proverbs 11: 24-25 MSG says, "The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped." Philippians 2:2-5 NIV says, "then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus." This might not come easy to all of us, but as Christians we are called to put it into practice daily. If we can turn that practice into a natural response, we are promised joy in return.
Lastly, we are to do everything under the umbrella of love. As followers of Christ, we are commanded to love one another. In John 13:34-35 we are told, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” We are warned of the message we send if we act in selfish ways in 1 John 4:19-21. It says, "We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother." To further reinforce this message we are told of the healing power of love and prayer and how it leads others to Jesus, Himself in 1 Peter 4:7-11 MSG. It says, "Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!" It is ultimately through our love of others, that they will see Christ in us. Even when it isn't easy, remember to take up your cross, follow Christ, and above all the things of this world (being right; having material things; getting your way; or earning credit), love those that surround you each day.
Almighty Father in Heaven,
Oh, how we need you. We are so weak and wrong when we rely on ourselves. Even if we can do what is right for a while, if we continue on our own, our human nature will eventually show through in a poor response. Help us to die to ourselves each day. Help us to choose to rest in You and give over all control to You. Please have your Son, Jesus, grow in each of us until we are perfected in Him. Fill us with the strong power of the Holy Spirit so that our actions, words, and gestures lead others to see Jesus Christ in us. Make our message an amazing witness for your truth. It is in the strong name of Jesus we pray...Amen.
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