Romans 15:1-2
Even if we believe that it makes
no difference to the Lord whether we do these things, still we cannot
just go ahead and do them to please ourselves; for we must bear the
“burden” of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others—of those
who feel these things are wrong. Let’s please the other fellow, not
ourselves, and do what is for his good and thus build him up in the
Lord.
The Living Bible
copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights
reserved.
You’re watching a ballgame, and the referees
make a terrible call – or at least YOU feel it is poor. Without a second
thought, you react...you yell, scream, throw up your hands and gesture
wildly. You never curse...you don’t make any obscene motions...but you
do throw something of a “fit” over this decision. Some around you join
in...they offer “high fives”...they agree with your sentiments and echo
them. Others sit quietly and say nothing. They may agree with you...or
not. But they do not make a public display of their anger and
frustration.
In any crowd, there will be a mix of “seasoned”
Christians, new Christians, and unbelievers. Many of these people know
you that you call yourself a Christian...that you demonstrate several of
the qualities and characteristics of a Disciple of Christ. Yet they
wonder about your present actions and what they ultimately say about
your faith.
Or let’s say you have a particular displeasure with a
particular political candidate or office holder – or a certain group of
people...and you eagerly share jokes, comments and cartoons about thems
on social media. You enjoy “commiserating” with others who share your
views at parties, around the water cooler or in the halls at school, or
even in the aisles at Wal-Mart, school sporting events and even at
church on Sunday! You don’t hide your feelings...just like you are
generous with your posts and comments about your Christian faith and how
much God loves us.
People are watching...and if you claim to be
a Christian, others are scrutinizing your words and actions to see if
they line up with what you declare – and what they read in the
scriptures and hear from other believers. Many of those who see your
posts about your faith peppered among unkind or derogatory comments
about another person or group wonder whether you truly love others as
God loves you. It’s not that you aren’t entitled to an opinion...or
that what you have said is necessarily so bad (although sometimes, we
have to admit that it is!). It’s more that you give others the wrong
impression.
There’s nothing wrong with showing your spirit at
sporting events...or disagreeing with a call, a coach, or the
performance of a particular player. But when we “throw a fit” over
it...there will be others who wonder about our peace and joy in Jesus.
Christians don’t have to be stoic and unfeeling - little robots who
never get agitated or voice an opinion. But if our actions and reactions
cause another person to question whether we truly operate with grace
and mercy, then we have failed in our witness.
Too often, we
Christians operate with the attitude of “do as I say, not as I do.”
It’s not that what we say and do is so wrong...that we are committing a
sin and/or displeasing God. But if our words and actions cause another
to question what is acceptable to God and what isn’t – or to doubt or be
confused in any way about what it means to live as a Christian...then
we have crossed the line.
Remember, God loves us. He wants us to
be filled with joy...positive...and confident. He cares about everything
we experience, say and do...but not necessarily in the way that you
think. There are plenty of things we say and do that, by themselves, are
harmless and don’t offend God in the least. But in a different
context...when others are influenced by these things...they can have a
totally different connotation. We need to make a habit of checking our
words and actions...of asking ourselves, “How will others see this? Will
it be pleasing to God and encouraging to them in their faith walk...or
could it be misconstrued to weaken their faith – or even turn them away
from a relationship with Jesus Christ?”
When we ask these tough
questions, we may see that a lot of what we say and do needs to go! If
we are serious about sharing the grace, mercy, love and forgiveness of
Jesus with others, we need to be willing to check our words and actions.
People ARE watching! When they look at you...what – and WHO – will they
see?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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