Be careful to live properly among your
unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will
see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to GOD - 1 Peter 2:12
Have you ever said or did something that was not very nice and then remembered that you have a Bible sitting on your desk? Or that you always pass out Bible tracks to people you know? You start thinking, 'I had no excuse to be disrespectful to that person. How dare I be rude, almost literally, in Jesus Name?'
If so, you’re in good company. The Apostle Paul wrote, “I
don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway" - Romans 7:19.
Only GOD’s saving grace, through Jesus Christ, allows us to be forgiven; and that grace helps us turn away from sin. Paul goes on to advise, “Don’t embrace the behavior and customs of this world, but let GOD transform you into a new person” - Romans 12:2. At one time or another, we all have reacted in a wordly way to situations in our lives, not following Jesus' example of self control.
Only GOD’s saving grace, through Jesus Christ, allows us to be forgiven; and that grace helps us turn away from sin. Paul goes on to advise, “Don’t embrace the behavior and customs of this world, but let GOD transform you into a new person” - Romans 12:2. At one time or another, we all have reacted in a wordly way to situations in our lives, not following Jesus' example of self control.
Jesus told His followers, “You are the light of the world” - Matthew 5:14. And so, “we must live orderly lives for all to see” - Romans 13:13.
You never know when you are being observed by someone who may want to give their
life to Christ. But if you are living for Jesus, you can be an example to those
around you, even in places where it is unacceptable to talk about Him.
We should strive to live in such a way that non-believers will want the love we have. Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples” - John 13:35; and that “when you produce much fruit, then you are My true disciples” - John 15:8. The Apostle Paul explained that this “Spiritual Fruit” is made up of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”- Galatians 5:22-23. Living with these Godly qualities glorifies the Father, and can encourage non-believers to want to know more about the Lord.
You are the light of the world. A city on
a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a
bush. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the
house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your
good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:14-16
Jesus calls us to attract people to Him and to the Father by the way we live. We want unbelievers to see how we live our life for Jesus, in a way that will encourage them to want to live for Christ also. We can attract unbelievers to Christ by example. By the way we live our lives.
.
Does the way you live your life push people away from Jesus, or are you attracting people to Him?
You can start by asking the Lord to help you to identify all the areas in your life that might push your friends or neighbors away from Jesus. Ask
GOD to reveal those things to you. Sometimes we don’t always recognize them
right away. But if you ask Him, GOD will show you the areas in your life that
are not glorifying Him.
- Prayer -
Lord,
Please reveal to me, and then free me, from any sin in my life
that is driving people away from You.
Lead me to live a life full of the fruit of the Holy Spirit,
instead of a life full of my sinful nature (Galatians 5:16-26).
Mold me into someone who will attract unbelievers to You.
In the Name of Jesus,
Amen
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