Yesterday in my sermon about 1 Pet. 2:11-12, I mentioned that there are two questions that we should ask ourselves to determine if we are truly being missionaries for the Lord. Below are the questions:
1. Identity: How many of your friends know you are a Christian by your behavior?
2. Mission: How many non-Christians do you really know?
In many ways, those two questions can be anchor points for each one of us as we seek to engage and impact the world around us. For if we can answer these questions well, it means others are being impacted for Christ by our life, whereas if we can’t, then we are not letting our light shine.
Last night, I had a member come up to me and tell me about his afternoon. He was impacted by the sermon in the morning (and particularly question #1) and so in the afternoon, he went out and asked some of his friends, “How can you tell that I am a Christian?” He was curious if they knew he was a Christian simply because he came to church or some other reason, or if it was because of his actions and behavior. What a challenging, yet informative question to ask! What if we all asked a non-Christian friend that same question? I think it would give us an update on how we are doing in being “peculiar” within our world. That is your challenge for this week. I would love to hear what you learn in response.
Also, which question do you struggle with the most - #1 or #2? I would be curious to know. Because of my position, I probably struggle with #2 more because I am around Christian people quite frequently. In fact, I have noticed if I am not intentional about putting myself in places where non-Christians are and seeking out their friendships, then my answer to #2 can be pretty small. What about you?
People
6 years ago
Posts
mlmc said...
ReplyDeletePublic school teaching has afforded me an answer to each question without hesitation. When I first began my teaching career I found people using wholesome language and spreading kindness. Occasionally, someone would vent during lunch and a word would slip out...when that happens others say, "Be careful, Linda is here" or "oops, sorry Linda" I asked, "Why do you feel the need to apologize to me?" The answer often was because you are so religious...I began to realize people were watching my every action. Thus, I had a further reason to keep my behavior excellent (such as Peter encourages us to do). Secondly, I have many close friends at the school where I taught because the atmosphere there is much like a family. Like my church family, many of my school friends have seen our family through happiness, sadness, and many blessings.
posted by L. Mc
I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts via the sermon yesterday. I have found that I to am surrounded by Godly people on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteThrough the years of being a Christian i was in the habit of adjusting either way. But thanks to the Lord and His power I don't need to make the adjustment...I now tend be who I am in Him on a daily basis. It was hard at first, but as I practiced each day it has become much easier. The people who I know that are not Christians also apologize to me for bad language or behavior. I think that the apologizing is out of respect not for me but for what I believe. For me I see it as an opportunity to talk about who I believe. I have had more than one person in my life come to the understanding of the Lord because of these opportunities. I didn't want them to believe as I believe, but believe in Him. He is pure, I am not, He is always available, I am not, He is worthy of honor, I am not. I think that we need not only to live as He wants us to live, but we need to pray for the opportunities, and ask Him to open our eyes and ears to them. I do my best to have excellent behavior and attitude, but I do fail at times. I pray that my lack of being excellent will come at a time when only the Lord is watching so that my behavior will not bring dishonor to Him!!!
The desire to "fit in" totally contradicts the idea of being a peculiar person. I struggle with this everyday. When I asked some co-workers how they knew I was a Christian the common response was "You talk about the things you do at church and are eager to talk about people's spiritual lives."
ReplyDeleteIt looks like I have plenty of areas to grow spiritually!
About twenty years ago, while working at Southwestern Bell, I moved to a new department. I was amazed at the difference in the work environment. I often refered to it as the Sodom and Gomorrah of SWBT. I went about my daily business observing dishonesty, affairs, backbiting and profane language. I thought, "What I have I gotten myself into?" One day one of the clerks said to me, "Shirley, I notice that no matter what happens, you never use a bad word or get upset and fly off the handle." I was shocked that someone had been observing me. It did make me realize the truth in what I have heard so many times--you never know when someone is watching you and the impact you might have on them whether for good or bad. I try to let that guide my actions and reactions. Sometimes I am more successful than other times.
ReplyDeleteI was convicted by the second question. I went to ACU so the majority of my close friends are Christians from Southside or from our College days. At work, I have hand-picked the employees to fit our mission of a Christian workplace. I need ideas on how to become friends with non-christians, in order to reach them. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteI do agree that apologizing from others toward me is not necessarily meant for me specifically, but out of respect for what I believe. People have tendency to apologize for bad language or behavior because of my religious belief. Absolutely, I also agree with "Anonymous' comment that this creates an excellent opportunity for others to come to know Christ. Furthermore, all the glory and honor should go to Him in praise. If we think on things that are lovely, pure and of good repute, then, so shall our behavior and thinking be reflected as such. Our goal should be to strive for excellence and Christ like thinking (Philippians 3:8).May we all give praise to His excellent name as we serve Him!
ReplyDeleteScott,
ReplyDeleteHere are a few ways in which I have gotten to know non-Christians. First, getting to know my neighbors is a simple and easy thing. Maybe your neighborhood has an association that meets and you could get involved in that. Also, I have tried to get involved in some community groups near the church building, where I can learn what is going on nearby, but also meet people. I have done recreational activities on teams that are not "church teams" at times and volunteered at various service organizations. I know Matthew volunteers at Daggett Middle School to get to know non-Christian teens there.
What I found is that you have to be intentional. You have to decide to do something (join an organization, etc) for the expressed purpose of being around non-Christians in order to have an influence. Does anyone else have any thoughts? I am loving reading the comments.
Monty and I have invited people over (from both our work places) over for dinner, to plays, and even to see a movie. As mentioned previously, look for opportunities to influence others...invite others to church activities,outdoor recreational activities, and other events. Those are just a few suggestions. I am sure there are many other ideas. It was because of a very influential friendship that I came to know the Lord. In college a friend invited me to do everything with her including going to worship. She cared enough to reach out to me. She shared her faith and personal Savior. Her influence was one reason why I longed to delve more into the Word and put my Lord on in baptism. I am grateful to this day.
ReplyDeleteBeing a new "stay-at-home-mom," it has been challenging to build friendships with non-Christians. Working as an Operating Room nurse, it was all too easy to meet people who are not Christians. And maybe, just maybe, I planted a seed by my actions and behavior (not cussing being HUGE!). There are other "Residency Widows" who are not Christians; and I also agree with you, Steve, that getting to know your neighbors is a good way to meet non-Christians. (Mine, for example, are Muslim.) It does take a lot of work, and question #2 is the challenging one for me right now.
ReplyDeleteThere was a time when question #1 would have been my greatest struggle. I was a "believer", but not always an "obeyer" of Jesus. Once I made that shift, I found myself wanting to be surrounded with true worshippers of Christ and no longer felt comfortable around my non-believing/non-obeying friends. Now I would say I struggle with question #2 (and echo Amber's sentiment about being a stay-at-home-mom). Question #2 made me think about a few years ago when I was doing a study of Romans. I was serving the Lord in a women's Bible study and teaching the Kindergarten class on Wednesday nights. The Lord began putting this thought on my heart: "You are serving me in areas that are safe and comfortable for you. I want you to try getting out of your comfort zone and teach the lost". Please do not get me wrong: leading Bible studies for believers and teaching the children at church are very important. But at that season of my life, the Lord was asking me to step out of my comfort zone for Him. I went to a woman at church who is good at this (Chloe) and asked her to help me. Within the week I was going downtown to get my pass to teach in the jails. She also set me up in some mentoring relationships in the HOPE class. I had to quit going to the jail when I got pregnant (their rules, not mine) but I learned so much from the experience. I would love suggestions for how stay-at-homes of little ones (not in school) were able to meet and impact non-believers. ~Bekah
ReplyDeleteOne idea for stay-at-home moms to meet non-Christian moms, visit your local library's preschool storytime. Lindsey has been bringing Josh and Bethany to the Wedgwood Branch since Ladies Bible Class has been adjourned for the summer. For a complete list of storytime's visit, http://www.fortworthgov.org/library.
ReplyDeleteThanks Vonne! Selfishly I have been wanting to go to the library because our books are getting pretty boring (after reading them 20 times a day!). Now I have an ever better motivation to go!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments and discussions. The problem that several have mentioned (being around non-Christians) is one of the reasons we started last year (and will again do this year) Great Commission Groups. We wanted a time for our church to be encouraged to go and be salt and light in the world. Another hindrance to being around non-Christians can often be simply being around Christians at church all the time! So we thought it would be appropriate to have a church activity where the expressed goal will be to be among non-Christians. Hopefully this program will be helpful to us as we seek to be "among the pagans."
ReplyDeleteReading Bekah's post made me wonder if we think we are surrounded by Christians when in fact we are have people around us who claim to believe, but are non-obeyers. Perhaps, if we got to know these people, we would find that they are searching. We might help them find answers and at the same time, improve our walk with the Lord.
ReplyDeleteI work at a Christian school where we are required to sign a statement of faith. Nevertheless, I find that some people once I have gotten to know them have not been obedient in the faith that they claim. I am hoping to keep the lines of communication open and show them the joy that can be found in walking with God.