Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:13-18
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As Christians, we are called to live above board. Our actions should be so obviously honest and true that no one could get away with slandering our names. Why is this so important, though?
We are God’s ambassadors here on earth. If we lie to people, we are telling them that God lies. If we are not faithful to our spouses or a person we are in a “relationship” with, then we tell others that God is not faithful. If we yell and scream at people, we tell people that God is angry and mean.
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20
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Who you are affects how someone else sees God.
It is extremely important that we examine our lives and check our actions. Ask yourself, if someone did this, what would my reaction be? What do my actions say about God? Would God be proud of what I did?
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5
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It is so much easier for us to identify what everyone else is doing wrong and purse our lips and shake our head. However, we can do the exact same thing not even a week later and it’s totally normal and fine.
When Jesus told us to take care of the plank in our eye, He’s informing us that we are of no help to anyone else if we aren’t willing to change ourselves. How can we expect someone else to get their life together is we refuse to listen to God’s prompting to change?
That is why it is so important that we take time to look at ourselves objectively. When we notice something that isn’t right or that dishonors God, we shouldn’t brush it aside and play it off as no big deal. We have to first repent and then actively avoid that type of behavior.
I encourage you to take time right now and examine your actions. Are you proud of who you are? What areas can you improve on? Don’t be ashamed that you need to change. Be happy that God loves you enough to tell you. When you’re actively working with God to correct your own behavior, that is when you are in the right place to help someone else. No sooner than the plank is removed.