If I were wearing a blue shirt and walked up to you and said " I am wearing a blue shirt today. How's it going?", or "I'm a man, what are you?", it might spark some interesting colorful comments or questions of your own. We do not need to call attention to that which is blatantly obvious.
It can sometimes be easy to blend into this ever-increasingly bland world. Like the gecko in the picture, we can be tough to spot if we show marks of being common in the world instead of showing the marks of our commitment to our LORD. We can even sometimes venture into the commonality of the world's standards of untruths, listening to so-called wisdom that shouts out or whispers in our ears. It is then that, as we walk in newness of life, remembering our God as the promise maker and promise keeper that He is, we remember and treasure His real truth as we read and study the Bible and listen to His Word preached and taught.
For at least three reasons we want to stand out and give total commitment to Jesus in service:
1. To have a closer walk with God.
For those who have trusted in Jesus to save us and set us free from our sin and its penalty (separation from Him forever), we look inside to ask a question. What did He die for when He died for me? He died that we could live, abundantly here and eternally. Praise, honor, and glory to Him. Our commitment to please Him is no burden. And as we relinquish the control we think we have and think we need, and remember only God is in the place and power to have it, we are reminded that surrender is essential. Surrender is the key that unlocks the vault of God's best and deepest treasures.
"Trying to control everything causes frustration, fatigue and failure. Giving control over to God brings freedom and blessing!"- Kerry Shook
One of the most important aspects of our closer walk with Him is in our personal devotions, our quiet times alone with God with the Bible open before us and our hearts open to His wisdom and guidance. Recent statistics have shown that 80% of professing Christians "read" the Bible at church on Sunday morning only. Let us find a place, find our Bible, and find our hearts turning to Him in fresh and amazing ways as He speaks through the Truth of His Word.
"Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law." - Psalm 119:18
2. To encourage other believers.
So much hurt, so many difficult days are being seen by so many. As we encourage and build up, and especially, pray for others, and take bold steps to action in lending a hand to others, we serve with a heart of gratitude and love , always reminded how our LORD set the example for true leadership and service.
"Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
3. To bring people to Him.
The clear sign of our faith is not what we say but what we do.
"But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."- James 1:22
Some of the obvious marks of true faith will show up as we walk in newness of life, bringing glory to God: devotion to our tasks, humility, passion (a burning commitment to the Master), love with compassion, and a contagious spirit (enthusiasm). Will a day come when we, as Christians, will not just have a savory spirit, but a contagious one? And no matter where we are, even if we find ourselves going the opposite way (as we increasingly will and should against the march of the "wisdom" of the world), let's do it with confidence and peace that passes understanding. When we do, we have opportunities to bring the good news to others, that they may know Him and follow Him.
A prayer:
Father, I thank You for changing me in Your presence. Please help me stand out for You and live out loud as a committed follower of You and not get lost in crippling commonality. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
