| 
But my mouth would encourage you; comfort
from my lips would bring you relief.
Job 16:5 (NIV)
Accepting the
Responsibility
by Cathy Vinson |
|
While Charles Barkley claims "I am
no role model," the Christian cannot. As the preacher says, "Along with the
benefits of grace and salvation comes the responsibility of being an influencer." By
its very name Christian means like Christ. We cannot be noninfluencers, or in other words:
we influence.
The intention of our God is that "men may see your good deeds and praise your Father
in heaven" (vs 16). The tension comes when we see our deeds as unworthy and want no
one to see. We want to be HIDDEN, the condition that Jesus said we "cannot be"
(vs 14). Rather we are "put on a stand...." (vs 15).
The Christian cannot get out of the role of teaching, whether verbally or physically. When
Jesus spoke here to His disciples of anyone breaking the commands, He was using a term
that meant "not only infringing them, but loosing the force of them, rendering them
not binding." Wow, look what effect those actions would have on weakening others and
the stability of God's ways upon a society! And so with us.
How can we emerge willing to be put on a stand when we know our own failings? It is such a
tension. Will we allow God to use us as a "light to give light to everyone"
knowing they too will see our frailties and inconsistencies?
We are influencers for a watching world. But the question is, Will we accept the
responsibility?
|
"Anyone
who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so... "
(Matthew 5:19) |
| The Christian cannot get out of the role of teaching,
whether verbally or physically. |
|
Send a note to Cathy Vinson , the writer of this devotion.
Other Whispers from the Wilderness Devotions are found HERE |