A Christian's "To Do" List Part 4 Series

Romans Series # 52 August 21, 2002

Title: A Christian’s "To Do" List Part 4

Website: www.newlifeinchrist.info

Email: pastorsarver@yahoo.com

Introduction: Welcome to New Life in Christ. We are currently in Chapter 12 of Romans as we continue with message #52 of our verse-by-verse study of the Book of Romans.

Read Romans 12:17-21

Opening Prayer

Over the past three weeks, we have looked at Romans 12:9-21, which I view it as sort of a Christian’s "To Do" list. This list contains 15 different, and sometimes unrelated, exhortations of things Christians should practice. So far we have looked at 12 of the 15 things on the Christian’s "To Do" list, which were covered in verses 9-16. Without any further ado, let’s look the 13th thing on the Christian’s "To Do" list.

13. Live in such a way that nobody can honestly accuse you of wrong.

I covered the first sentence of verse 17 which says, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil " last week when I shared on verse 14 on how to respond to those who hurt us. I will also touch on the subject of revenge when I share on the 15th thing on the Christian’s "To Do" list, which I will speak on later tonight. So for now I will share on the second sentence of verse 17 which says, "Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody."

Paul is not saying that we should let the world set the standard for what is right. Paul is saying that Christians should go out of their way to make sure nothing in their life to seen as wrong, evil, unethical, or questionable behavior for Christian.

13. Live in such a way that nobody can honestly accuse you of wrong.

We rightfully strive to do what is right in the eyes of God. We rightfully strive to do what is right in the eyes of other Christians; after all we do not want to appear unspiritual. Sometimes though we do not concern ourselves enough with doing "what is right in the eyes of everybody." Everybody includes our co-workers, families, neighbors, employers, and the daily contacts we have in personal business such as people we meet while shopping, paying bills, driving, etc… Sometimes we seem to forget that the world is watching us and therefore our lives are either going to bring honor or dishonor to Jesus and the Gospel. Our choices and behavior will reflect either positively or negatively upon Christianity. Paul was always concerned the Christian’s lives reflect positively on the Gospel. Let me share with you two examples of this from Scripture.

Read 2 Corinthians 8:19-21

In this example, Paul was in charge of a rather large monetary gift that had been given for Christians in need. Rather than be secretive about the use of the money, he went to great "pains" to avoid any negative criticism and to do what is right in the eyes of everybody, i.e. both the Lord and men. He was following the 13th principle on the Christian’s "To Do" list.

13. Live in such a way that nobody can honestly accuse you of wrong.

This example of Paul’s and this principle is one reason I have a problem with many of the TV preachers who live in extravagance, such as in million-dollar mansions, and having multiple luxury cars. While it is debatable in some Christian circles whether it is acceptable or right to become wealthy in full time ministry, there is no doubt that such extravagant living does reflect negatively on the Gospel in the eyes of the world. Pastors or preachers who live in such extravagance are not "being careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody."

Let’s look at another example of Paul’s concern that Christian’s lives reflect positively on the Gospel.

Read Titus 2:1-10

Three times in this passage Paul notes that one of his primary concerns is that Christian’s behavior be seen as good in the eyes of everybody. Young women are to be kind, submissive, pure, and "busy at home", so that "no one will malign the word of God." (Vs. 5) Young men, including Titus, are to be such a good examples that even those who "oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." (Vs. 8) Slaves are to be respectful, hard-working, honest, and obedience so that "they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive."

In all three examples the main concern is that Christians reflect positively on Christianity by following the 13th thing on the Christian’s "To Do" list, which is…

13. Live in such a way that nobody can honestly accuse you of wrong.

Each of us need to examine our own lives and see if there is anything that is questionable, reflects negatively on the Gospel, or could be interpreted as wrong in the eyes of anyone.