Are you the same everywhere? At work, in the marketplace, in the public eye, at church, or home on the range, it is essential to show our true colors.
As a committed believer in Christ, we have the opportunity for influence at any given moment. Actually, we make an impact ever single day, either good or bad. As we grasp the gift of navigating our time walking in newness of life, we are able to live with a heart of total commitment to Him in service to Him and sharing the good news of the gospel every chance we get.
At least three reasons for giving total commitment to Him are: to have a closer walk with God, to encourage other believers, and to bring people to Him.
Spending time with Him in His Word is the way to know Him more and let your love for Him grow exponentially. When we find a specific place and set aside a certain time and a open the Bible in our hands, with our heart's focus and mind on His truth, we are starting and staying in the best place imaginable. Asking Him to reveal His truth to us and reaffirm what He has previously taught us and renew our minds will bring us ever closer to His heart. It is then, as we have regularly treasured time with Him, that we walk throughout our days with a greater peace, a greater expectancy of seeing His goodness, and a greater love for the same things he loves.
A commitment to Christ involves surrender...which is the key that unlocks the vault of God's best and deepest treasure and extensive benefits of knowing His ways.
Edification is the building up of others. It involves encouragement, along with the strengthening power of stirring others up by helping them know when they are getting it right and turning away from wrong actions.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." - Hebrews 10:23-24
In a world where discouragement and harmful blends of sarcasm seem to rule the day, walking in newness of life and encouraging others is vital.
Then there is a third reason to be "all in" in our commitment to Him- to bring people to Him. I do not have to tell you that this world is not getting better. People need to know the hope given to those who are followers of Jesus, which is forgiveness of sin, grace for now and eternal life.
The clear sign of your faith is not just what you say, but what you do.
"But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." - James 1:22
We can claim to be committed, but do people call us committed? Two things will stand out with your true commitment:
* Your faith will be obvious. If I were wearing a blue shirt tomorrow morning and came up to you and said, "Good morning, I'm wearing a blue shirt.", what might you think? You do not have to call attention to that which is obvious. So, displaying the marks of faith in God, such as humility and devotion to a task and passion (burning commitment towards His commands) and especially, love, will help point people to God.
* You will have a contagious spirit (enthusiasm). Apathy and complacency can only be overcome by enthusiasiasm. It is a life set apart for the cause of Christ. There is really no such thing as an uninfluential Christian, as we will impact either in a good way or negatively.
"Nothing can keep you and me from living lives of power, meaning, and vibrancy, from making decisions based on the transcendent, biblical principles that should guide our lives...when we decide to live by them, we are freed up to live with passion and principle, joy and calling." - Richard L. Ganz
We can live a contagiously good life, complete with everything we need for life and godliness, given graciously from His hand.
A prayer:
Father, as I know You more, please change me to be more like Your Son, and please let me show enthusiasm and be a person that never shies away from telling the good news of the gospel. In the matchless name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
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