what people say about you...
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT YOU: A BALANCE YOU MUST STRIKE
(For 28/2/2010)
It is common for people to say “I don’t care what people say, as long as I know I am doing the right thing”. Well, doing the right thing (by God’s standard; that is) requires that you focus on God’s approval and not on the approval of man. Jesus prepared his followers for the challenges that will come with standing for God. Such challenges include the possibility of being rejected or maligned.
For example He spoke specifically about the impact of living for the truth on family relationships. Jesus said in Matt. 10.34-36 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the world. No, I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. I came to set sons against their fathers, daughters against their mothers, daughters-in-law against their mothers-in-law; your worst enemies will be the members of your own family.
A more extreme dimension of such is stated in John 16.2: “You will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time will come when those who kill you will think that by doing this they are serving God”.
If your insistence on truth causes the world to hassle you, bear this in mind: that is how it’s meant to be. To that extent you are right if you “don’t care what they say”.
There is however a balance that you must strike. Take a close look at this passage from Matt. 5.16 “Thus let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works, and they may glorify your Father who is in heaven.” This suggests that you need to make an effort so they may see your good. Now, how about that!
There are a number of things you may do to fulfill the requirement of this scripture:
• Instead of arrogantly dismissing ‘them’ as infidels, try to make them understand you. Some people may actually end up appreciating your position if you patiently and lovingly try to make them see your point.
• When you can, avoid doing your good in away that will create a wrong impression. We are not only to avoid evil; we are to avoid whatever appears to be evil too, even when such things are not inherently bad.
• Finally, note that it takes an effort to make “your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven”. To some extent, it’s your responsibility to make them see.
GO AND SHINE THAT LIGHT!
(For 28/2/2010)
It is common for people to say “I don’t care what people say, as long as I know I am doing the right thing”. Well, doing the right thing (by God’s standard; that is) requires that you focus on God’s approval and not on the approval of man. Jesus prepared his followers for the challenges that will come with standing for God. Such challenges include the possibility of being rejected or maligned.
For example He spoke specifically about the impact of living for the truth on family relationships. Jesus said in Matt. 10.34-36 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the world. No, I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. I came to set sons against their fathers, daughters against their mothers, daughters-in-law against their mothers-in-law; your worst enemies will be the members of your own family.
A more extreme dimension of such is stated in John 16.2: “You will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time will come when those who kill you will think that by doing this they are serving God”.
If your insistence on truth causes the world to hassle you, bear this in mind: that is how it’s meant to be. To that extent you are right if you “don’t care what they say”.
There is however a balance that you must strike. Take a close look at this passage from Matt. 5.16 “Thus let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works, and they may glorify your Father who is in heaven.” This suggests that you need to make an effort so they may see your good. Now, how about that!
There are a number of things you may do to fulfill the requirement of this scripture:
• Instead of arrogantly dismissing ‘them’ as infidels, try to make them understand you. Some people may actually end up appreciating your position if you patiently and lovingly try to make them see your point.
• When you can, avoid doing your good in away that will create a wrong impression. We are not only to avoid evil; we are to avoid whatever appears to be evil too, even when such things are not inherently bad.
• Finally, note that it takes an effort to make “your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven”. To some extent, it’s your responsibility to make them see.
GO AND SHINE THAT LIGHT!
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