The potential each of us has to impact others is sometimes underestimated, mostly by us. But I truly believe that God sees our full potential in the change we can make in those around us. It’s not just a message in verbal form, but it’s a message in a life lived out. We sometimes forget that the loudest message we declare is what people see us do every day.
Proverbs 11:10: “When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, [there is] shouting.” This was the verse my pastor referenced in his message. The prospering of the righteous benefits everyone in that community, whether they realize it or not. But, inevitably, some in that community will recognize that fact. They will see that you might know something about the truth because they see the positive results of you living out that truth. If you can show a good result to others, it should automatically pique their interest and draw them to you.
James 1:22: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Much of our message starts with us just living out the Word in our daily lives. A congruent life is one whose words match their actions. Of course, we want those to be Biblical words being matched by Biblical actions. That’s what this verse is referring to. We can’t help but have positive results when we live a life of faithful commitment to God’s Word.
2 Corinthians 3:2-3: “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: [Forasmuch as ye are] manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” For some the only Word of God they may have ever seen is what you live out on a daily basis. These Corinthians had become an accurate representation of that. The Word that is imparted unto us by others also becomes a living epistle to others because it has become implanted in our hearts. And that’s because their hearts were receptive to the Word. The term ‘fleshy’ here means they had softened hearts. They were eager to receive it. Since the Word had become embedded in their hearts, they had become a living representation of that Word. They couldn’t help but live it because it had become a part of their hearts.
James 1:19: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” Sometimes we forget the example that we set in just the little things. When we show just a level-headed, even-keel manner about us, we show we are a positive reflection of God Himself. Also, when we are willing to listen to others first they develop a positive image of us. It’s something that draws them to take an interest in us. And it’s something that allows us to become a positive thread in the fabric of the communities we belong to.
Proverbs 11:10: “When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, [there is] shouting.”
James 1:22: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
2 Corinthians 3:2-3: “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: [Forasmuch as ye are] manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”
James 1:19: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”