10/01/2021
As followers of Jesus Christ are we able to reveal His character in everything we do, to be gentle, courteous to others, and to be submissive to authority? Do we go through our days reacting with love towards those who are in need, and readily doing good works to glorify God? How many times have we seen those who profess Jesus as their Lord and Savior speaking ill of someone, or ignoring the sick, the hungry, the naked, or the thirsty? How is it that they neglect these things when even a moral man who doesn’t know God, or believe in Jesus would act to remedy them? As we walk through the world today let’s pay close attention to our behavior, demeanor, and how often we show mercy to others, and let’s take count of how often our Christian life enhances our witness, and leads to Christian conversations.
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”
Titus 3:1-2 ESV
Long ago the Apostle Paul wrote these words to Titus, and yet they hold the same power and truth for the Christian today. Too often we pretend not to have heard such instruction; we talk about our faith to one another, preach holiness in church, but walk back into the world as if we were its citizens. If given the opportunity we neglect to speak of Christ, we fail to exude humility, we rail against authority, and we model our behavior according to man’s laws while paying little to no attention to God’s commandments.
“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”
Philippians 3:18-20 ESV
Have you ever heard, or uttered, the phrase “It’s just business”? Words such as these are excuses for shameful, or worldly, behavior as it’s acted out by those who should be living in a Christ-like manner. When words such as these are spoken they are true enough, a Christian’s behavior at that moment IS just business, but unless conducted in righteous fashion as if we are doing our business with Jesus Himself, then it is just worldly business. We are meant to work as if for the Lord, and treat others in business, and in life as if we were dealing with Jesus Himself… is that how we are conducting our lives?
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.”
Colossians 3:23-25 ESV
The arguments against living such a Christian life when dealing with unbelievers come clothed in justification. We hear that in a world that abides by man’s laws we can’t survive unless we too play by those rules, but we are told by God’s Word, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that we are specifically not to do this… not in business, not in politics, not in the way we treat one another, or in other words, not in any aspect of our lives. A church that purchases land for a new sanctuary by driving down its cost through misrepresentation, or deceit will be building on unholy ground. A business that claims to be “Christian” but uses that trust against its customers is an abomination, and both of these will face judgement for that behavior. “ For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.”
Our Christian set of laws, commandments, and lessons, teach us to behave very differently from the world around us, and we are warned regarding what awaits us if we don’t listen to this instruction…
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
1 John 2:15-17 ESV
We are ruled first and foremost by the love of God, and by loving one another, then all the other commandments and precepts of our faith follow as they guide us in how we are to live out our lives in righteousness, and holiness. Our eyes are meant to be fixed on God, Jesus, and Heaven alone… not this world or any comfort we might find in it. No wrong, no matter how small, or easily justified, will go without notice, and the judgement of God.
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Colossians 3:2-4 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for setting us apart from the world, and fixing our gaze on you, Jesus, and your Heavenly Kingdom. Thank you Lord for rewarding us in eternity for those good and righteous things we do on earth as we obey your Word, and live in accordance with the life, commandments, and teachings of your Son Jesus Christ. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who lifts us from within the fallen world, and places us in your presence for all eternity. Praised be your name for the opportunity to love you, Jesus, and those around us… even those who are lost, and await our life’s witness and the revelation of the gospel of Jesus. Merciful are you who so loved us that you sent your only begotten Son to redeem us by His suffering, death, and resurrection. How incredible is the grace you shower upon us as we are sprinkled with the blood of Jesus, and worship you with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. Wash us clean of sin, and the filthy dust of the world, Father, wash us with the blood of the Christ, and see only His image as we stand before you in judgement. Call us worthy, and seat us at your table forevermore… sons and daughters… your beloved who can’t take our eyes from you.
““When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
Matthew 25:31-40 ESV
Rich Forbes