A Rally Point

Many may feel their religion is supposed to be private. Nevertheless, those who have come into a relationship with Christ know our Lord has commanded us to go public. 

In Matthew 28: 18-20, we read these words:

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Going out into the entire world with Christ-centered principles is not an easy task as the owners of Chick-fil-a found out, and even more so last week. Chick-fil-A is a family-owned company. From the day Truett Cathy started the company, he began applying biblically-based principles to managing his business. He has stayed true to those principles no matter what it has cost him or his reputation.

So why am I bringing this up? Saturday night, as I was walking around a mall in Atlanta, GA the Lord began to speak to me on the merit of this issue.

“This is one of my rallying points.” He said.

“What do you mean Lord?” I said.

“I am going to use prominent individuals to rally my people together.” He said.

Then He brought the Chick-fil-A stance to my mind.

As I pondered last week’s situation, I asked the Lord for wisdom in what He was trying to say.

Following God’s biblical principles is not always easy and definitely not popular. When God raises a standard to follow, we have a choice to make. Are we going to follow Him or not? God never makes those choices for us because He desires our willing obedience above all.

Showing your outward support of godly principles is risky. On August 1, when I stood with Chick-Fil-A, it was not to condemn anyone but rather to say God has shown us a better way. Heaven knows I have my own battles with godly principles. But biblical standards are something I have learned to appreciate, treasure and strive to meet even through I may fail. God’s ways are always going to be higher than our human reasoning. However, if we are going to fulfill God’s mandate to go and teach what He has taught us, then sacrifice is apart of the process. Just “blending in” is not usually God’s plan of action.

So what is God asking of us? This is what I sense to be true. To be willing to step forward, unite whether we all agree or not, and to show the world a better way, God’s way to truly be free. To truly live what we believe. To be willing to stand in the face of opposition with a loving and grace-filled heart towards others in spite of what we believe. And they will know we are CHRISTians by our love.

Are you on the fence? Do you have the courage to join with the body of Christ as God purifies us and unites us as one? These are challenging times and fence sitting may not be an option much longer. But remember…you will never be alone in this venture because we are all learning anew what it means to present the gospel in a way that draws others in by the power of the Spirit.

Christlikeness: The Real Witness

Every Christian is supposed to be a witness. So…how DO we proclaim Christ?

I am learning that witnessing has more to do with how we present Christ through our attitudes and our lifestyle choices instead of our spoken words. We have been lead to believe our words to others is the most important element in witnessing when actually it is our actions and how we deal with our daily situations. When people are able to see Christlikeness in us, the Bible says, they will be draw to Him or Him in us. Then, when we have a natural opportunity to invite those around us into the Kingdom, they will have already seen the ups and downs of how God works through a believer and be able to make a lasting decision. Life with Christ is not always easy but it is well worth the struggle. Character, blessings and joy come as we persevere all the way through. And that is what we want to world to know through the way we live.

How do we develop Christlikeness in our lives? 

First, place yourself where you can learn wisdom from Christians older in the faith then you. 

Second, regularly study the scriptures especially the life of Christ and the Apostle Paul. 

Third, discipline yourself to use what you are learning for the decision-making you do everyday. 

Last, begin by using your faith for God to supply small things. As your trust strengthens in Biblical principles, God will help your witness to increase by giving you more opportunities to trust Him in bigger situations. In this way, trust in God can grow for you personally as well as your witness to God’s faithfulness. The promises of God are true but we have to experience each truth before it becomes real to us, before it becomes ours and before we can proclaim that truth to others. I wish there was a quicker or even easier way to learn but in the end it comes down to an act of your will to grow in the things of God to better your witness for Christ.

Are there issues in your own life, which keep you from proclaiming Christ with your whole heart? What is keeping you from being intentional about learning and demonstrating more Christlikeness in all that you do? Whatever the hindrances may be, you can overcome them with God’s love, wisdom and a resolve to listen and learn more about Him.