In Acts 1:8 we read-
8 What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world."
Now we're all familiar with this verse. It is a part of what we as Christians use to encourage one another as to what we are to be doing individually and as churches. Now what we do with this is very important. You see people watch others, I know I do. I will sometimes when we are out and Elaine is looking for something and doesn't need me, I'll watch people. I am thinking about who they are, where they are from, and what they think about things like God and Jesus. I will also give consideration as to how they might see me. How do I act and how do I interact with others?
I was raised, by the Grace of God, in a Christian home with two wonderful examples of how a Christian should act. It was my mother who would regularly remind me as to how I acted and what people might think about me. This was good but also very humbling for me. To this day I don't consider myself better than any one else. More honestly, I see others as better than me.
So here are a few thoughts for today-
Whatever way you want others to treat you, treat them that way. This is the one that my mother focused on more than any other. I have always wanted people to treat me respectfully and with courtesy. That is why I have, do and always will treat others with kindness and courtesy.
In Matthew 7:12 tells us it was Jesus Himself who said-
12 "Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them.
God forgave you so you are to forgive others. Again, growing up this was a lesson frequently taught to my sister Karen and myself. Forgiveness seems to be becoming a lost art today. The new thought is to get even with others. Show no mercy and destroy the other person. What a terrible way to live.
In was Ephesians 4:32 that Paul told the Ephesian believers to-
2 Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Helping people is as if you were helping Jesus. This is one that both our mother and father were clear to make known to us. We learned early that helping others was the Christian thing to do. Just as importantly it is the right thing to do.
Matthew 25:40 is a reminder of Jesus' own words when He said-
40 … 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me - you did it to me.'
Let others see Jesus in you. I think that is why I learned early on that telling someone about Jesus and my personal relationship with Him was so important. It was certainly the right thing to do, but it was also what He Himself directed all of us who know Him as our Savior to do.
Matthew 28:19-20 are His words and they clearly provide a commission as to what we are to do. We refer to this as The Great Commission-
19 Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
20 Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."
Recently, I have been a part of helping believers understand how to tell others about Jesus Christ. I know in my life I have learned more than one way to share the same message of salvation which only comes through Jesus Christ.
There are long and labored discussions about politics, sports, weather, and a lot of other things. Yet the most important discussion we can have is with someone about Jesus. Seasons change but your story of how He changed your life will never change.
Why don't you look for that divine opportunity this week to tell your story?
In God's Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy