Notice, we will be posting the Christian marriage part III next week, God willing. Meanwhile, be encouraged by reading this week’s message and NEVER under-estimate the value of these messages they are meant to increase the fear of God in your life and PREPARE YOU FOR HIS KINGDOM! Warning, the Lord gave Charis a vision this past Friday morning (06/05/2016) saying that there are still some disobedient brethren who goes around calling people names. The Lord emphasized saying that the way people look is the way He created them and those who use name calling will not see His Kingdom.
This week’s article is a basic encouragement to Christian believers to be obedient and to display the power of the scriptures in their lives. In other words, when we interact with non-believers they will be influenced by our good conduct. They will ‘read’ what the Bible says regarding peaceful interaction with others and this in turn will influence their attitudes (1 Peter 2:12). This is the believer’s personal wordless ministry of displaying a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4).
Additionally, the Lord is well pleased when a Christian displays good conduct such as being peaceful, humble and submissively obedient to the Lord. In our ministry, the Lord has always singled out and honoured some faithful brethren who displayed excellent exemplary attitudes. This has always provoked some of us to outdo ourselves just to get the Lord's attention, and just who doesn’t want praise from God? (Romans 2:7). Actions of faith and obedience has always attracted God’s approval and blessings, and some Christians just need discernment to recognise the voice of God. No one should ever think their works, hearts and attitudes are hidden from the Lord (Hebrews 4:13). Therefore never think or image your good works and prayers escapes His attention, like Cornelius the Lord will move in His time to bless you, so continue in faithful service (Acts 10:4).
Good Conduct Influences Bad Situations
Most of us may have grown up in circumstances that are less than peaceful and the only way most of us learned on how to solve disputes and misunderstandings was through violence and insults. In other words, the ‘solution’ we provided was leaving pain and hurt. Sad but true, this is the way many born again Christians ‘solve’ their problems with their brethren. I have heard some Christian folk saying, ‘I can’t stand that person’ or ‘I avoid going that way because Mr X is talking too much and he is annoying me’. Brethren, this kind of attitude is very displeasing to the Lord and quite frankly, this kind of talk exposes the unloving and uncaring heart such a Christian has (1 John 4:20).
I have had a brother in the Lord who was a real hands-on Christian. He seldom ignored people’s complaints that he ministered to. Being busy as he was, he would always go the extra mile and help or listen to those he ministered to (Proverbs 21:13). What I have further noticed is that when this brother, whom I would like to identify as John learns about a problem, he participates responsively with a drive of realising a possible solution for the person in need. Being a God-fearing man, and a private person, I always found it a pleasure to be around him because I always learned something from him and often without him instructing me (3 John 1:11).
Light in the Darkness
As believers, we know that the world ‘reads’ us, so we ought to be faithful to God and act as children of the light, the Lord says in Matthew 5:16 ‘’In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven”. Therefore, if we act wickedly unbelievers, who knows what the Bible says will expose us and they will not take Christianity seriously.
Also, unbelievers regards us as perfect (1 Timothy 4:12). The world reads us more faithfully than some of us even reads our bibles, and we should never pretend also, acting right should be our spontaneous response .‘’Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone,’’ (Col.4:5-6 NIV). Furthermore, as Christians, the world is constantly judging us by what we do and say. That is why unbelievers come to the Lord because our light of sincerity and pure speech and conduct touched and convicted them, but if we are careless, ungentle, unkind and unloving they will refuse our message. In fact, highly sensitive people are able to feel and sense love and sincerity.
A few months ago, a young man who was introduced a few weeks earlier to us as a Christian came knocking on our door for help. After listening to his problem, my wife and I decided to help him with money. When he bargained for more money than what he needed to get home, I heard the Holy Spirit telling me that he was lying and he needed the money for drugs. After he left, I told my wife how uneasy I felt what the Spirit said. She had the same misgivings, but she didn’t want to discourage me. As it is, our suspicions were confirmed two days thereafter by the brother who introduced him to us. He told us that the gentleman was on drugs and to feed his habit he targets Christians he met while playing broke after giving a sad tale. Does this incident not remind you of the Gibeonites? (Joshua 9:3-15). There are many out there today! However, the light of our sincerity and truthful living must continue to shine forth.
Are you fearing God? If so, what are people in general saying about you? Besides those who hate and persecute you for your good conduct in the Lord. Does the Lord approve the way you relate to others? You have an option, repent and earnestly pray asking the Lord to impart good fruits in you while delivering you from bad attitudes. Remember, the world favours those who slander and talk down on others. To assist you in your salvation, kindly pray our suggested prayer below!
Heavenly Father, I bow my head in submission to your will, and admit that I am a sinner, destined for HELL if I die without having accepted Jesus Christ as my eternal Lord and Saviour. I acknowledge that I cannot save myself and I need a redeemer. I completely repent of my sins and put my faith in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ shed for my sins on the cross. I NOW accept Jesus Christ as my Saviour and I trust that He will appear soon to take me to Heaven for all eternity, in Jesus name. AMEN.
Blessed regards,
Brother Glenn and Charis
