What Do They See?

When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.

Genesis 39:3-4 NIV

What do people see when they observe when they observe us going about our daily life? If we are just doing what we should be doing as servants of Christ, people should see someone acting righteously, serving others. 

A few years ago I attended a funeral of long time friend of the family. One thing that I was impressed with was that nearly ever person who worked with him said that he would always take the time to help others. No matter what he was doing he would help them with whatever they were dealing with. As a Christian he left a powerful impression on those around him. That is a good legacy.

The Apostle Paul instructed us to, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each of one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free" (Ephesians 6:7-8). Do what you do as if you are working directly for Jesus and trust him to be glorified in your efforts. He will use you in some way. If we concern ourselves with what God sees, he will take care of what others see as we serve him.

Good: Just Do It

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

Titus 3:1-2 NIV

Sometimes I think I'm always ready for a fight. Maybe it's because I deal with middle school students and there is always a few who spend every waking moment just trying to think of ways to cause mayhem. Or maybe I'm just contentious by nature.  

In contrast to the world, which teaches people to insist on and assert their own rights, as a Christian I am supposed to seek to put other first. What hit me this morning was the phrase, "be ready to do whatever is good". What does it mean to be ready to do good to my wife and children today? What does it mean to be ready to do good to those I will encounter at work or out and about doing chores? 

In a world of rebellion I am to be obedient to the law. Engulfed by social media where brutal unrestrained smack talk reigns, I am to slander no one. In this world of friction, inconsideration and arrogance I am to humbly be considerate of others as a peacemaker for Christ. Do whatever is good. 

What's Your Ambition?

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV

The contrast between ambition and a quiet obvious. Often straight ambition makes you think about trying to succeed with glory. A quiet life makes you think about peace and stability. I think Paul is trying to get us to seek to live godly lives that glorify Christ, passionately, but, with humility and grace. 

Honestly, I think a lot of what I tried to do as a young Christian became more about me being known as a great Christian, rather than Christ showing himself great in me. The world glorifies the messenger. Christianity glorifies Christ. Christ in me, the hope of glory. 

Our genuine, humble service of others should gain their respect not their applause. We are not trying to look good as servants of Christ, we are trying to show Jesus' goodness to the world. 

Just Please God

On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 

1 Thessalonians 2:4 NIV

You can try to please yourself, you can try to please others, or you can try to please God. If you try to please yourself it's easy to rationalize the results. If you try to please others you end up at the mercy of peoples whims and emotions. But, if you try to please God you end up concerned with doing what is right. 

Please God and you will do what is best. You won't try to make yourself the center of attention because the gospel is about Jesus. You won't try to make the "felt needs" of others the complete focus of your outreach because the gospel is about our need to have sin and its' effects dealt with in us. You will try to please God and lift up Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life. That pleases God. 

Is That You I Smell?

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 NIV

I love the smell of good coffee. It's part of my daily routine of waking up, making my coffee, reading my Bible and praying. It's a good aroma that I associate with spending time with God. I pray that my life would leave the aroma of Christ. 

Lord, help me to leave the sweet smell of salvation with each person you graciously put before me today.

TRUST GOD WITH THE WORLD

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 

1 Peter 2:13-15 (NIV)

There's a great saying, perhaps you've heard it, "Tell the truth and you won't have to worry about having a great memory." One of the fruits of trying to live by faith in Christ is peace. Peace with God and peace with others. Now, I know that I am an enemy of the world because I am a follower of Christ. But, when I know that I am in Christ, I'm good to go. 

Father, help us to live by faith in Christ. We trust that you will work all things for our good. Praise be to you in us today!

TIME TO SHUT IT DOWN: Titus 3:9

"But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless." Titus 3:9

If you have ever been involved in an online "discussion" with someone with an opposing viewpoint,  then you probably have a pretty good idea what this verse is talking about. Most of the time people just write whatever pops into their minds without really thinking about it. Frankly, most people are trained to think anymore and it shows in what they write. I thought I was involved in a decent conversation with an atheist about two weeks ago. But, he just kept avoiding responding to anything that would cause him to evaluate why he actually held any of his beliefs. It was time to shut it down. 

The point is to be wise. Know when it is time to not say something. Sometimes silence makes people listen to not only what they said or what they were going to say, but, it also allows God to speak.

Father, give us wisdom to know when and when not to speak. Praise be to you in us today!