‘None of us liveth to himself.’ – Romans 14:7
What a responsibility that this verse implies! We are not put on this earth simply for our own salvation and sanctification. Rather, we are responsible for the spiritual lives of all those with whom we come into contact. When I stop to think about the awesome magnitude to which all of our lives are interwoven in respect to this fact, I am overwhelmed.
If I am responsible for the spiritual life of those around me, my own imperfections become magnified. When I lose my temper or become vain or lazy, I must realize that this does not just affect me. Rather it affects all those around me. What kind of witness do I provide during even the most cursory of exchanges with someone whom I may never meet again? Knowing this, I must realize that I am accountable not some of the time, but all of the time.
Am I willing to be such a tool for Christ? Can I devote my every action to the glorification of God? I certainly hope so, though I know also that I will fail at times. I will spend time in the shadow of God’s hand and He will use my failures to help me to grow in Him so that I might not fail again.
We cannot afford to be Sunday morning Christians. People are attracted to action. Look for example at Islam. Arguably, Islam is the fastest growing religion worldwide at the time that I write this. Why is that? It is not because of the doctrine, but rather because of the example. People see Muslims in the world right now that are living their faith and taking action through unashamed worship. Muslims protect the sanctity of their beliefs. They defend their religion from parody.
Conversely, Christians overwhelmingly do not protect their religion from parody nor worship without shame. We in the United States are indoctrinated with political correctness and acceptance to the point that we are ashamed or afraid to practice our beliefs without first making an apology. We allow Christ to be parodied in pop culture and the media. The result is that we live as nominal Christians.
I’m not saying that it is my responsibility to evangelize. I am saying that it is my responsibility to allow God to work through my example so that others might see. Will I convert anyone? Not likely by my own hand. Rather God is working to bring others to Him and He uses us as tools toward that end.
What a responsibility that this verse implies! We are not put on this earth simply for our own salvation and sanctification. Rather, we are responsible for the spiritual lives of all those with whom we come into contact. When I stop to think about the awesome magnitude to which all of our lives are interwoven in respect to this fact, I am overwhelmed.
If I am responsible for the spiritual life of those around me, my own imperfections become magnified. When I lose my temper or become vain or lazy, I must realize that this does not just affect me. Rather it affects all those around me. What kind of witness do I provide during even the most cursory of exchanges with someone whom I may never meet again? Knowing this, I must realize that I am accountable not some of the time, but all of the time.
Am I willing to be such a tool for Christ? Can I devote my every action to the glorification of God? I certainly hope so, though I know also that I will fail at times. I will spend time in the shadow of God’s hand and He will use my failures to help me to grow in Him so that I might not fail again.
We cannot afford to be Sunday morning Christians. People are attracted to action. Look for example at Islam. Arguably, Islam is the fastest growing religion worldwide at the time that I write this. Why is that? It is not because of the doctrine, but rather because of the example. People see Muslims in the world right now that are living their faith and taking action through unashamed worship. Muslims protect the sanctity of their beliefs. They defend their religion from parody.
Conversely, Christians overwhelmingly do not protect their religion from parody nor worship without shame. We in the United States are indoctrinated with political correctness and acceptance to the point that we are ashamed or afraid to practice our beliefs without first making an apology. We allow Christ to be parodied in pop culture and the media. The result is that we live as nominal Christians.
I’m not saying that it is my responsibility to evangelize. I am saying that it is my responsibility to allow God to work through my example so that others might see. Will I convert anyone? Not likely by my own hand. Rather God is working to bring others to Him and He uses us as tools toward that end.
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