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What do people think of Christ when they see you?
Do they see the love and patience and kindness of Jesus?
By your actions and words are you attracting them to the Savior?
"Watch Out! Take notice world and you old Devil! I am a Christian and if you mess with me, I’ll bite your head off, because I am a child of the King and I am reigning in life etc. etc. etc." Seldom, if ever would you be likely to hear this verbatim from fellow Christians. Perhaps, and lamentably, from the pulpit you would hear this or at least detect a similar sentiment and attitude. But is this not ugly? Is this not mean to talk or feel like this? Most importantly, is it not a grievance and an embarrassment to the Most High Name of Jesus Christ? Listen to the following statements: “Who do you think you are?” “Don’t you know who I am?” “How dare you insult me like that?”
These are the proud statements uttered by many a “Christian” these days in the name of exercising God-given authority and fighting the Devilish spirit behind unbelievers who are all around us. Quite contrary to the command of the Lord to be humble, patient and kind in all circumstances and to let God take vengeance on our behalf! Especially, when one is insulted or despised by others. It appears that many of us have become champions of our own egos these days and have soundly forgotten that we are bond slaves to Another! Even a Master for Whose Name alone we are living. Christ is to be adorned by us through our meekness of spirit. A worldly and confused doctrine is subtly being formulated in many fellowships these days and as result, downright bad or evil behavior is being emulated from the pulpit on down to laypersons alike. We must never forget that Jesus is our example. He exhibited great patience and a lowly spirit even when abused verbally and physically. Do we do that in similar circumstances just like our Lord taught and showed us by example? Or do we do the opposite? Are we a quarrelsome bunch? Do we like to “fight” back? Do we like to get the “last word” in on any unpleasant encounter? Consider your Lord, Christian person. He never reviled when reviled. 1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
Than means that when people hurled abusive speech at the Lord, He never reciprocated in like manner. When injustice is done to us, we may question the action and protest. However, the attitude and words should be in keeping with the Lord’s Spirit that dwells in us. Before we talk or respond to people, especially unsaved ones, we ought to consider whether, after having spoken to them in the manner I had wished, they would receive the gospel at my mouth or not! Let us never forget that we are in probationary period on earth, we are not our own and that we are representing the Lord of Glory and Love. Our main business in living holy and loving and different from the people of the world is to win those people for the Lord so that they can be transformed to His loving Image. If I am acting just like them then how can I ever expect to win them for the Lord? Remember this command from the Word of God:
Phi 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
That is how we are to subdue our flesh and begin to walk in the Spirit. Paul followed Jesus’ example and so ought we. Writing to the Corinthians, he states the following: 1Co 4:12 and labour, working with our own hands; being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer
It is very clear and a certain warning that, Christian people who carry on an attitude or lifestyle of shouting and fighting back and acting abusive will not go to Heaven! We can never use the excuse that the Spirit is willing but the Flesh is weak! That is why we have the Spirit of God in us to help us overcome the Flesh if we would but desire and cooperate with the Spirit! “What? You mean to tell me that I can lose eternal life if I am a person who is controlled by my flesh?” The Lord is the one Who says it, actually. Read it for yourself:
Conclusion:
No matter how mean or insulting someone is toward us, we must have a Christian attitude and act just like Christ and so we will not only please the Lord and make our enemies ashamed finally, but we will also make our calling and election sure!
If we need to repent of this un-Christ-like attitude, no matter where we picked it up; from other Christians, the pulpit or all by ourselves, we ought to do it now.
God will forgive you if are truly honest with yourself and confess and forsake the old, carnal attitude. He Himself will bless you and make you a shining Christian example as you put on Christ in love to all around, including your enemies.
© 2005 Pastor Pradeep Emmanuel Stephen[Permission is granted to duplicate this article in its entirety, but only without additions, alterations or omissions of any kind, including the author and ministry name at the end.]
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