I Kings Chapter 18. Because you are a Christian, do people love you or hate you?
King Ahab hated Elijah because Elijah said there would be a famine in the land for many years. King Ahab blamed Elijah for the famine but the fact is it was because of King Ahab and his family's rejection of God that the famine came. King Ahab has tried to find Elijah in order to kill him. King Ahab's most trusted man was Obadiah. Which is interesting, because Obadiah was a strong follower of the Lord. So why would King Ahab like Obadiah who is a God follower?
Perhaps, King Ahab recognized Obadiah was a well trusted Man, an honest man of integrity who stood above the others. Which goes to show, that we as followers of Christ, can be respected among people who don't believe in Jesus. If we let our life do the preaching and showing love and kindness and honesty and integrity, then, non-Believers will enjoy having us around.
All too often, we are quick to preach with our words and often comes out with condemnation vs love. But if we let our life be our first witness, showing godly characteristics and then over time people will ask questions and then you can share your love story or testimony of Jesus. You can share how Jesus changed your life. They relate with that better than condemning them.
I also feel, that too often, Christians are quick to speak against the behavior of others at work and builds a wall between the non-believers and God. If we could just look past the behavior and into their souls and love them despite their evil actions, then we'd tear down the Wall between them and God. It's then that we can begin to see their heart softened to the truth of the Lord.
My challenge is to let the love of Christ shine through your actions wherever you go despite the ignorance of others. Love people and see if overtime they don't respect you, a believer, versus hating you because you are a believer.
Letting the love of Christ shine through our actions can make such a big difference in our world! I think that continually showing gentleness and respect is important even when we may not be treated in the same way in return.
A passage that I was reminded of and that I would like to share today is 1 Peter 3:13-17.
“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”
Amen, guys! It is so true. We as believers are often hard on other believers and non-believers. We tend to judge others and that is not our job anyway. I do believe that we are meant to establish loving relationships with sinners – not to just cut them off and out of our lives because of their sin. That is definitely not what Jesus taught us. If we aren’t shining the love of Christ in their lives, who will?
Thanks for sharing those verses, Jim. I also love 1 Peter 2:1-3: “So put away all malice and all deceit, and hypocrisy, and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk that by it you may grow up into salvation. If you have tasted the goodness of the Lord.” He’s reminding us to put aside our fleshly reactions to others and stay in the Word, so that we can continue to grow and shine His light in this dark world.
It’s very important to practice what you preach. Words are easy there has to be action. It comes with your heart and your actions to one another as well as your testimony.