How should we behave in this world…Part 1
Show Christ
…by blessing those who persecute you…
…in interactions…
…in Harmony…
We as “true” believers have a call to live a balanced life. We are to be “in the world, but not of the world”. This is a hard area for most…
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:19
I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. [15] I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. [16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17:14-16
The world system is committed to at least four major objectives, which I can summarize in four words: fortune, fame, power, pleasure. First and foremost: Fortune, money. The world system is driven by money; it feeds on materialism. Second: Fame. That is another word for popularity. Fame is the longing to be known, to be somebody in someone else’s eyes. Third: Power. This is having influence, maintaining control over individuals or groups or companies or whatever. It is the desire to manipulate and maneuver others to do something for one’s own benefit. Fourth: Pleasure. At its basic level, pleasure has to do with fulfilling one’s sensual desires. It’s the same mindset that’s behind the slogan: "If it feels good, do it." Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, p.219.
Instead of the world’s behavior, Let’s see what our daily behavior should be…
Show Christ by blessing those who persecute you…
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Romans 12:14
The word “bless” (eulogeo) means to speak well of.
We are to speak well of those who persecute us.
Could this be difficult when verbally or physically attacked, mistreated, insulted, by-passed, overlooked, slandered, cursed, abused, injured?
Often we do not overlook these things in our families…But God’s word is unmistakable, speak well of the person who attacks you...
What does it mean to bless and to speak well of?
It means to speak well to our persecutors. It means not cursing, speaking harshly, or striking out at them. Instead we find something commendable about them and we commend them for it.
“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephes. 4:31-32).
It means to speak well about our persecutors. We do not down the persecutor, but we mention some commendable traits. We praise some “good thing” about the person; we do not tear them down.
It means to pray for our persecutors.
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots” (Luke 23:34).
By doing so some might be won to Christ.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
It means to do good to our persecutors.
“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you” (Luke 6:27).
“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil” (Luke 6:35).
Show Christ in interactions…
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Rom 12:15
We show genuine interest…in people. God gives us two in particular…
We rejoice with them that rejoice.
Not as the world does its joyful moments and affairs, that is, partying and drunkenness. No, we are also called to separation.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Cor. 6:17-18
Instead rejoice with neighbors, friends when something good happens to them. Join them in their moment of joy when they: have a baby, achieve something, or receive some recognition.
This is difficult for some…we envy, feel disappointment or act indifferent to the success of those around us.
Knowing this Christ calls us to feel and act differently. We conquer our nature and feel joy over the success of others and to show this joy by congratulating and joining them in their moment of joy.
God rejoices in the prosperity of HIS people.
“Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant” (Psalm 35:27).
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering” (Col. 3:12).
We are called to weep with them that weep.
Friends who face a trial or loss, a moment of suffering.
It might be personal pain, business loss, family hurt, sorrow.
No matter the cause…feel with them. Show true empathy…
This too, is a trait of God.
“In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old” (Isaiah 63:9).
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16).
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1).
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2).
“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (Hebrews 13:3).
Show Christ in Harmony…
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Romans 12:16
We are to seek harmony and to associate with the lowly.
We should treat all people the same no matter their lot in life.
“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephes. 4:3).
“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27).
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8).
We are not to seek after high things, but condescend to those of low estate. “High things” refers to seeking the things of preeminence, honor, prestige, and recognition. It means keeping one’s mind upon... ·high society ·high positions ·affluence
We are not to be above the lowly, not to neglect, ignore, or criticize the lowly. We are to be friendly and kind, loving and gracious in helping to meet the needs of a desperate world.
“But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve” (Luke 22:26).
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10).
“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).
We must not to be wise in our own conceits.
The attitude which the gospel requires is that of a little child: simple, trusting, and humble.
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).
“And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know” (1 Cor. 8:2).
“For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself” (Galatians 6:3).
We are to live above reproach in the sight of all. We are not to react as the world; we do not return evil for evil to anyone.
Instead we
·live a life of righteousness and purity, honesty and truthfulness.
·bear testimony to the corruption of the world and to man’s need to escape the corruption by turning to Jesus Christ and His righteousness.
We are called to refrain from reacting. Why?
Because reaction would most likely lose the friendship and all hope of reaching the person for Jesus Christ.
And reaction is not the way of God nor of Christ.
“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).
“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men” (1 Thes. 5:15).
We demonstrate good behavior in the sight of all, so that it is seen by all.
“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8).
“Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (2 Cor. 8:21).
We are to live at peace as much as possible, giving no place to revenge
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19).
“To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste” (Deut. 32:35).
Treating an enemy with kindness will affect him greatly. Kindness shames and causes anguish for an enemy. They might repent and be converted.
“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head” (Romans 12:20) (Proverbs 25:21-22).
Kindness will store up wrath against the evil doer in the day of judgment.
“But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Romans 2:5).
Vengeance makes evil victorious. If we seek vengeance, then we allow evil to conquer us. We are to conquer evil, never allowing evil to conquer us.
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
A scuba diver lives in the water but breathes the air--he takes his environment with him. Source Unknown
We likewise walk in the world, but our environment is Christ us…let people see you take Christ with you.
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?
Can people see Jesus in You?
If not you can accept Jesus right now, will you?
