BY PASTOR BRANDON YOUNG
We all know that individuals are constantly talking; unfortunately, most of the talk is neither encouraging nor positive. It sure seems like most of what we hear daily is discouraging and negative. How can we change the dialogue of the world as Christians? We can do so by giving the world exactly what they are not expecting. Today’s world expects hatred, anger, frustration, chaos, negativity, evil, and darkness. We brace for the worst every day. It is disheartening when hatred and evil becomes the norm. It is time that God’s children change the narrative. Jesus gave the world something to talk about because he was unlike anything they had ever seen or heard! He befriended every sinner, but his life was completely different.
2 Corinthians 6:17 states, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” Often, this verse is misconstrued. Christians have used this verse to completely stay away and shun sinners, but that is not what the Apostle Paul was trying to convey. We must have a relationship with the unbeliever while living a completely different lifestyle. They will see and hear a difference when we live our lives like Christ! In fact, the difference that they see and hear ought to leave them asking questions and seeking what we already have in our lives. Jesus refused to judge or condemn a woman caught in the act of adultery. He was sinless and had every right to throw the first stone; instead, he spoke words of love seasoned with grace, mercy, and forgiveness. His actions that day caught everyone’s attention. They dropped their stones and walked away, and you can rest assured that the individuals who witnessed this event were talking about what happened for days afterwards. The impact that Jesus had on this woman was monumental. I am positive her life was never the same after this encounter with Jesus!
In a time filled with so much darkness, a little light can go a long way and make a huge impact! Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” This is a simple verse, but to live this verse daily can be complicated when we live in the flesh. It is often difficult to crucify the desires to be hateful and seek revenge, but we must, if we desire to make a difference like Christ. We must choose to put away the things the world seems accustomed to and be completely different.
Our difference may cause others to desire what we have. Let me give an analogy. If you had a lawnmower that barely started, cut the grass lopsided, and was constantly breaking down, you would be seeking something completely different from what you already have. You would want a mower that cranked on the first try, mowed evenly, and ran seamlessly week after week. No one could sell you a mower like the one you currently have because you need something better. As a Christian, we cannot help the world come to know Jesus when our lives resemble theirs. If we talk and act like the world, it is impossible for them to see the difference that Jesus makes. We must live life like Jesus!
Colossians 3:8-10 says, “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” The Apostle Paul tells us we must put off the things associated with our flesh. He goes on to say this in verses 12-15, “12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
Christians living out the verses above will leave the world scratching their heads and talking about what has created such a difference. These individuals can be spotted from a distance because their lives are so distinct from the world. Please make sure your words and actions are approved and endorsed by the King of all Kings! A King that stooped down and washed the feet of his disciples. He became a servant and humbled himself! Over 2,000 years later and we are still talking about this man named Jesus! Why? Because his life was utterly and completely unlike anything the world had ever seen!
(The Solution Column is provided by Pastor Brandon Young of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church, Hampton, and his associate, David Odom)