September 23, 2005

• Let others see Christ in us

  
  

  As I was studying Acts chapter 2 today, I discovered (actually reaffirmed) that in our lives, as we follow Christ and as we are obedient to His Words, that many around us will see that peace and hope as well as a strength in understanding, a strength that trancends understanding. What do I mean here, for example, loving those who disagree with you or loving those that are different than you….this seems to be a foreign concept. However, when people see us putting that Christly concept into action, they are often amazed and respect our strength in “forgiving” and “loving”.  This one example of following the teaching of Christ that seems “foreign” to many but when seen in action….is respected.

  
  

  In Acts, Chapter 2, a large group of diverse people observed hundreds of diciples of Jesus speaking in their own native languages and dialect. They observed something that was obviously supernatural taking place. They wanted explanations, they wanted answers. What’s interesting is they were not sharing the Gospel message, they were simply praising God (Acts 2:10 “….we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues”). What does Peter do…..he steps up to the plate and shares with them the Gospel message, he tells them the truth of God. I hope you see here that if peopel see Christ in us through our attitudes, our love, our compassion, our works, if they see us shine, if we are”salty”,  we get the attention of others. They often want what we have.

  
  

  I had a friend at work that I have known for years that came to me one day and proclaimed, “Jan, I want what you have!”, (he wasn’t talking about riches as he makes 3 times what I do). He was talking about passion and attitude, love and compassion. It was funny, but he also said that he wanted what I had, but he wanted it in relation to his work, not God. That was my time to step up to the plate (actually as I had done many times before). I told him that he could easily have what I had. It all starts with Christ, with having Christ in your life and in your heart. With following and loving the one who gave so very much, even His life, for us. I also told him that by seeking God first, he could then even have that in other areas of his life.

  
  

  Listen to 1 Peter 3:15:  “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”

  
  

  Seek Christ, follow, become the salt of the earth, shine with Christ love, compassion and mercy, speak the truth, speak in love and without judgement………others will want what you have, just as all these in Jerusalem wanted what these disciples had. As we read more about Paul and his ministry, we see that these people who were there on that day and observed the Holy Spirit in the disciples of Christ, heard Peter share the Gospel message and went out into the world (often back to their homelands) and laid some groundwork for his further teaching.

  
  

   In other words, it all starts with you and your walk with Jesus……it is shared with others primarily by the  way people observe Jesus in your life. They want what you have…..you share…….they seek…….they share in the great blessing of hope and peace we find in Jesus Christ.

  
  

  Do you have a story to share where someone saw “Christ in you”?

  • 7:54 am
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