AN EXORTATION FOR BELIEVERS

 

Wisdom says...

What image are you projecting to the world?

The bible calls us "living epistles" or "living letters" (of recommendation) that can be read by all men (2nd Cor 3:2). Paul was telling the Corinthian church that the apostles needed no letters of recommendation because the good works could be seen in their (Corinthians)
 lives.

 The question is...does GOD need a letter of recommendation or do OUR lives speak for him? 

As Christians, we are under a great deal of scrutiny.  We get judged quite critically by the world.  I have heard it said more times than I can count, "I thought _________ is supposed to be a christian".  I used to get upset and wonder how people with no more GOD than "the man on the moon" could stand and cast judgement on me when I am "trying" to live right. 

Well...

Story
I love to dance.  I used to put on my Jordache jeans and dance to the commercial with my (half) sister when we were kids ("you got the look, I want to know better"...).  I am sure someone actually dated themselves right there, LOL.  Whatever had to do with dance, I was in it (performing arts school, cheerleading, talent shows, drill teams, and the list goes on).  Even the (few) parties I attended, I never got off the dance floor.  As an adult and a believer that didn't stop.  At one point, I was on the Praise dance team at church and I even started to line dance a few years ago.  I love to dance!!  While dancing is not overtly "sinful" I now see that even that can be a stumbling block.  

So...I am at this picnic and they play one of my favorite line dance songs. I go over and start dancing (with my "saved" self). Although I was not trying to be seen by anyone or trying to be seductive, but what happened after I stopped dancing gave me pause...and the subject matter for today's blog.  An older man ( I will not call him a gentleman) came over while I was talking to a group of women I had not seen in a long time and began to comment on my dancing.  I will not repeat what he said, but let's say...it was far from appropriate.  Of course he was out of line, but instead of looking at him, I had to check myself.

The apostle Paul said, "Everything is permissible for me, but everything is not helpful" (1st Cor 6:12 ISV).  Even though "dancing" in and of itself, is not sinful, it was an indictment on my character.  You tell me, could I have told him about the goodness of Jesus at that point?  I wondered what would happen if he repeated some of those things to other people, or how the women I was talking to felt.  Could I have even witnessed to "them"? 

The scripture that GOD put in my spirit is "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Gal 2:20 NLT).  I realized that all of the things I love to do must come under subjection to GOD because I would not want my "good to be evil spoken of" (Rom 14:16). 

I am finally resolved that my life no longer belongs to me.  I have to give over my dreams and desires to him.  For a time I had only submitted parts of myself to him.  Now I see the value in total submission.

What about you?  I know I am not the only one that has struggled with something like this.  Ask yourself: is there anything that "I" am okay with doing that GOD's stamp of approval is not on?  Does my life recommend GOD to others or does it turn others from him?  Do I care more about my "stuff" than I do about building GOD's kingdom?  In short... am I totally submitted? 

The bible says that we should not do anything that would cause another believer to stumble (Rom 14:21.  How much more for the unsaved? 

Prayer Father, give us eyes to see and ears to hear your spirit speaking to us.  Deliver us from every sin and weight that so easily besets us.  Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord.  Father, put a yes in our spirits that will enable us to experience you fully.  Your words says that you will perfect that which concerns us and that you chasten those whom you love.  We open ourselves to your perfecting grace and your correction...In Jesus name, Amen.