I walked away from a conversation recently feeling good. Our words were pleasant. Thinking more about it sometime later I felt the Holy Spirit’s correction. “Jerry, you made it about you and lost an opportunity to turn his heart towards Jesus.” I had not said anything wrong in that exchange. I had not been coarse, or unkind, or anything of the kind. The focus was wrong and that displeased the Lord.
Who will occupy the center of your conversations today? Who will be the focus of your actions this week?
A Jesus-first life does not mean that all we talk about is church, the Bible, and religion. Christians can be interesting people, with fully developed personalities, a good sense of humor, and well-rounded interests. In all of those things the Spirit-filled person will center on Him. Nothing will be allowed in our lives that feeds Self, that creates divisions, or that detracts from Him. If that sounds like a challenge, it is. We love ourselves and, taking the natural course of living, we will look for ways to feather our nest and/or enhance our reputation.
Paul teaches us about the importance of the attitude that says “Jesus first in all things, at all times.” With enemies attacking his character, his ministry, and his message, he tells the Christians in Corinth: “We try to live in such a way that no one will be hindered from finding the Lord by the way we act, and so no one can find fault with our ministry. In everything we do we try to show that we are true ministers of God.” (Minister does not mean full time employee of a church. The word just means one who serves God.) Did Paul have a right to be angry? He did. But, he knows that there is more at stake that his reputation. How he lives can either build a bridge or a wall! The same is true for us, friend. What will your actions create today where you work? Will they invite others to know Him?
True faith shines most brightly in the moments of frustration, if our focus is “Jesus first.” I know, from personal experience, how quickly temper can create ill will, how easily words that are something less than godly or loving can slip from our lips, how we can close doors instead of opening them. I aspire to live, by God’s power, as Paul did. He goes on to say, “We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. . . . We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, our sincere love, and the power of the Holy Spirit. We have faithfully preached the truth. God’s power has been working in us. We have righteousness as our weapon, both to attack and to defend ourselves. We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. . . . Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.” (2 Corinthians 6:3-10, NLT)
Make it your aim to patiently prove the power of the Spirit. Pray like this: “Lord, I want to be a bridge-builder, not a wall-builder. I want my life to enhance Your reputation. I want my words and actions to be proof that You are at work in me. Create patience in times of difficulty, purity in times of temptation, dedication to the truth when tempted by compromise, and joy in it all. May people who pass by see You.”
Here’s the word from the Word. “God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.” The Message, 2 Corinthians 5:19-20
___________
Higher than the mountains that I face!
Stronger than the power of the grave!
Constant in the trial and the change!
One thing remains,
One thing remains.
Your love never fails,
It never gives up,
Never runs out on me.
On and on and on and on it goes.
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul.
And I never ever have to be afraid.
One thing remains,
One thing remains.
Your love never fails,
It never gives up,
Never runs out on me.
One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)
Brian Johnson | Christa Black Gifford | Jeremy Riddle
© 2010 ChristaJoy Music Publishing (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing)
Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Vineyard Music USA)
Bethel Music Publishing
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