His Honor is at Stake

I read a line in a devotional this morning that really struck me that I’d never really thought of this. “And Jesus says to us “...I have called you friends...” Remain faithful to your Friend, and remember that His honor is at stake in your bodily life.” (Utmost for His Highest June 16 Oswald Chambers)

For those who call themselves Christians, we must take this call seriously. Even if we haven’t figured out what our purpose or calling is as an individual, we are all called to share our faith and to glorify God with our lives in order to lead others to Him and not away from Him.

How many people do you know that do not want anything to do with church or Christianity because of the ugliness they have seen in the name of Christianity or religion? I know a lot of people who have. We have got to be better at remembering that Jesus’ honor is at stake by our words and actions. We must do be better at imitating Christ by treating others with love, respect, patience and kindness because we bear the name of Christ and we don’t want to misrepresent who He really is. What we do as Christians is how non-Christians view God, Jesus, Church and Christianity as a whole.

If we begin each day asking for God to help us to be a better reflection of Him, remembering how sinful we ourselves are and go into our day with a humble heart full of grace and truth then we might turn a hurting world back to a loving God.

The next time we see someone living in a way that we feel is an abominable sin, remember what Jesus said regarding a woman caught in adultery:

“All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.” John 8:7-8

There is no sin that trumps our own sin! And only love can lead people to the saving grace of God, not condemnation and hatred. Show them who Jesus is by the life you live daily and show them what Gods love looks like by showing them love. Let’s leave the job of conviction to the Holy Spirit.

Scriptures to consider:

“And do everything with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.” 1 John 1:8,10

“It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside...” 1 Corinthians 5:12-13a

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.” Romans 3:23-2

“Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.” 2 Timothy 2:23-26