Living for Jesus

8/1/17

As I was reading this week I was drawn to an article by Jay Sanders called, “There Is No Insignificant Word.” We all know that when we are upset and/or mad we can say things that hurt the people around us, but what about those times we say things in our everyday walk that we don’t mean to hurt anyone with? But they do. It is just some little thing that was said, however unknown to us, the people around us heard it and what it did do to them was damaging.

What can be damaging about a joke or a casual comment about what a person is doing? Let’s take them individually. Jokes, there are many types of jokes; clean, cruel, dirty, mean, silly, off color, raciest, sexists and some are just dumb. We need to make sure any and all jokes are jokes that Jesus would laugh at. I say this because we are supposed to be living our lives to please him and Jesus is supposed to be dwelling in us. So, would you rather tell a joke that would make Jesus laugh or turn away from you embarrassed over what you said or implied?

Then there is the casual comment; like a comment on how someone is dressed and you not liking it. They may be dressed the best way they know how or were taught. Or the comment about how someone didn’t do something the way you thought it should have been done. Again, we don’t know where they are coming from, how they were raised or taught. If we say something that hurts their feelings they might just walk off and never believe that we are human and that we make mistakes just like everyone else. They no longer look at our lives as a way to a better life with Jesus. But most importantly they now no longer want to be a follower of Christ and they tell other people about how you acted and how it hurt them. Which means they are hurting you and your influence in other people’s lives.

This is like the rock landing in the middle of a calm pond of water. The ripple is small when it first appears but as time goes on it gets bigger and bigger until it reaches the whole pond. What we say and do has the same effect. It may start out small but as it touches other lives it reaches out more than we ever thought it would. If we cause a change in someone else then they will cause a change in others.

We need our lives to be the type that encourages others to try living for Jesus. This is what our job on earth is all about. If you are a fisherman – be a fisherman of souls. If you are a cook – use your skill to entice people to try Jesus. If you are a minister – then make sure you live the life that you preach. If you are a Christian – live your life the way God would approve and people will want to know more about what makes you so special.

We are not perfect, but we are to live a perfect life in God’s sight. And yes, in other people’s eyes we will make mistakes. It is our job to follow the leading of God and help mankind desire to find and follow Jesus.

Take time to put your best foot forward every day, all day long. Be your best for Jesus.