Shine for Christ!
As Christian men we are called to be sensible; we are supposed to have a good head on our shoulders. We are supposed to be “…slow to anger,” (James 1:19): we have been called to live a holy life(II Timothy 1:9) just like Jesus our Lord, and that means that we must be quick to forgive, and slow to anger just as God is.
Jesus told us That if a person slaps us on one cheek we should turn the other one to them. I don’t know about you, but that is very strange to me because when somebody hits me I’m ready to scrap. But as a Christian we can’t do that; we must take the example of Jesus Christ!
We are also called to have a pure doctrine. We are to follow the doctrines that have been laid down by Christ, and not the doctrines set forward by men as the Pharisees’ were doing. (Matthew 7:5-8) And what is the doctrine of God? Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-39 that loving God and loving others is the primary doctrine set by God; until we have those two things in place everything else is just window dressing. We can go to church, and we can sing in the choir; we can even preach; but until our hearts are sold out for God then we are hypocrites. And no one imitates a hypocrite! They just laugh at them!
As Christian men(and women) dignity is a requirement. Dignity is a state of honor or worthiness. As Christians we have been given the worthiness of Christ, and all the heavens perk their ears up when we call on the name of God. Listen to these words, “And God heard the lad crying…”, (Genesis 21:17). GOD HEARS US WHEN WE CRY OUT!!! We are set apart by God; He knows the number of hairs on our head, so why do sometimes live like paupers when we are heirs of God, and co-heirs with Christ!
I believe, and the Bible teaches that the tongue is the hardest thing for man to control, but as Christians we must control our tongues because even though it is small it can do great damage. Our speech is part of the equation as to whether or not we are truly dignified.
I love the book of James; it is so practical. But it teaches us that we must control, or tame, our tongue or we are fooling ourselves with religion. I believe that’s a good clue that we should think about when considering how seriously God takes our speech. The Apostle Paul told the church in Ephesus, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29) Our speech is the first recognizable symbol that people have as to what we believe. I MEAN TRULY BELIEVE!!! If you need more convincing of how important our speech is to God and others listen to this verse, ”You brood of vipers, how can you being evil speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” (Matthew 12:34) Jesus was talking to the Pharisees, and He said listen, “You talk bad because you are bad.” Only when we fill our hearts with the things of God will our speech be pleasing to Him!
It is my prayer that as you go throughout your day or week, and you interact with others that you live a life that is worthy of the name Christian, and that others can see through your actions, beliefs, dignity and speech can see Christ in you!
The Apostle Paul commanding his apprentice Timothy in I Timothy 4:12, “…but rather in speech, conduct, love and faith show yourself an example of those who believe.”
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this is work for me ; ) knowing that, think of me as a work in progress!