Does your life make God look good to others?
Deuteronomy 4:5-14 (NLT)
“Look, I now teach you these decrees and regulations just as the LORD my God commanded me . . . Obey them completely . . When surrounding nations hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘ . . . . . what great nation has a god as near to them as the LORD our God is near to us whenever we call on him? 8 And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair as this body of instructions that I am giving you today?
9 “But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren. 10 Never forget . . . . Deuteronomy 4:5-10
Reflection
There is one reason that God chose the biological descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to become a nation. It is part of “God’s-single- plan-through-Israel-and the faithful Israelite, Jesus- to rescue the planet –and set the world to rights”. This summarizes the entirety of the Bible from Genesis 12 through Revelation.
Israel was created by God to be the means by which God would destroy evil and usher in a New Creation. Christians believe this to be both “mission accomplished” and “mission about to be accomplished” through Jesus.
And so, Moses tells his people, “Make sure your behavior ‘makes God look good’ to outsiders so that they too will come to honor, obey and love God”. The purpose of Israel and all followers of Israel’s God through Jesus Christ is to be a witness to the world to the goodness of a loving God. And one of best ways to witness is to pass on your testimony to your children, their children and their children’s children.
(to post your thoughts, anonymously if you wish, simply click on “comments” below)
One thing I think is important is that Moses instructs us to be a witness. So, what is a witness. A witness is not judgmental. A witness does not put forth his or her opinions. A witness does not make recommendations on future actions or behaviors. Christians get a bad wrap sometimes, I think, because we tend to be judgmental, push our opinions or agendas, and tell others how they should obey.
ReplyDeleteA witness is someone who simply gives the evidence or the data. "The purpose ... is to be a witness to the world to the goodness of a loving God." How have I seen the goodness of our loving God in my life and in the live's of others? What is my story I must share about how I have seen God. It is the story we each have been given to tell that is powerful (aside from the Gospel of Jesus Christ).
My witnessing, my story, gives glory to God. Once I become judgmental, or give my opinions, or my interpretations, etc.; it quickly becomes about me.
Heavenly Father, give us the wisdom and courage to be your witnesses in this world.
I overheard a conversation in a store (I couldn't help it, I was just minding my own business) which impressed me. The young cashier had just responded to an invitation from an adult to a party for her daughter, the young cashier's acquaintance. The woman's last words were, "we hope to see you there. We love you". After she left, the young cashier expressed her feelings to a co worker. Her ending words were, "they just try and convert me whenever I am around them" (appx verbage)
ReplyDeleteWhy did she remember the 'converting' part and not the 'I love you' part?
We can't be naive, our witness includes that we have been loved by the one, true, God. We must have 'no other gods before Him'. Our witness is to His sovereignty as well as to His love. However, it was through His love that the Israelites were chosen, it is through His love that we are included in that choice. It is through our love of one another "that the world will know we love Him".
"Converting" is not in our job description. Our loving God and one another is our vehicle to proclaim to the world what Mary Magdalene proclaimed to the disciples, "HE LIVES"!
Thank you both for your comments. There is always a struggle in my mind that I should glorify the Lord in everything I do but how do others know that is my intent? I grew up in an environment where those around me tried to convert everyone they met and it seemed counterproductive. I am thinking that if in a spirit if humbleness I really do it for God's glory, even though I can't for the life of me figure out how my job could do that, then He will use it for His purposes.
ReplyDeleteThis past weekend, we met with some members of the family who happen to be Hindu (our inlaws) and I remarked on a drawing of an image they had on the wall. The image turned out to be the name of one of their gods. As she showed me a gold image of this god, I was truly curious (and upon the reading we have been doing in Deut, this was fresh on my heart). I simply wanted to know how she knew this god existed, how did she know he was real. Her reply was that they pray to this god for marriages, etc. She said they had many other gods as well, much like mythology. Just stories that have been passed down. I said nothing more, nothing more was needed. I didn't ask because I wanted to convert her, I asked because I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me.
ReplyDeleteIt also made me think that their way of remembering their gods is much the same as God told the Israelites to remember Him, pass it down. The difference I see is that the answer I was given had no love or relationship in it. Just askance and 'worship'.
The Bible tells us to be ready to give an answer for our faith. What would I say if she had asked me, "How do you know He is real?" How would you?
I think your desire for humility and to glorify God is foundational to loving God. Our tasks have been mapped out for us before creation, according to the Word. I trust and pray that whether I am aware of it or not, I complete these tasks. I can do no more.
Jesus said his burden was light. If I begin to feel a heavy spiritual load, I've taken on more than I was meant to take on.
I think its important to remember that Jesus never had to sell tickets to his concert. People were drawn to Him because of what they saw in Him. "I am the truth, the life, and the Way".
If we stay focused on Christ in every way we have available: reading His Word, prayer, listening, asking, learning, we will have more opportunities to share "He lives" than we could ever expect!
Father, please help us not to pick up more than we can carry. Lord, give each of us our answer to "How do you know He's real". Lord, fill our hearts with your love that others may be drawn to you. Jesus, we praise your name, thank you, Lord for choosing us. "No greater love than this". Thank you, Jesus." Amen