(Before we go any further, I do not want you to condemn yourself for anything you have done or are doing. I want you to be sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. No matter what kind of influence you or I have been, we can make a choice to be a godly influence. Just look at Abraham, he is known for his faith and generations were blessed. But he made mistakes and made some poor choices like telling Pharaoh his wife was his sister. Yet, he is an example of faith in God. David is an example of someone who was a man after God's own heart. But he too made bad choices like adultery. Their bad choices did not stop them from being examples in faith or keep them from having a love for God. So no matter what choices you have made, you can choose to make the wise choices and be an example for Christ.)
Choosing to be an example in our personal walk with Christ
I love the story of my husband and his mom. Her influence and example on him came from things she did. He remembers as a young child when he would wake up early, his mom would be at the kitchen table reading her Bible. He saw his mom serve faithfully in the church his entire life. He witnessed her quiet and submissive spirit. He heard of God's faithfulness because her prayers for him started three years before he was born. He saw her faith in God when he had his diving accident. His mother was a godly example for him and his sisters. It was her personal relationship with Christ that influenced them.
If we are not choosing to put God as a priority in our own lives then we will never influence others to do the same. If we are not choosing God then we start to choose things that are not of God. Our influence becomes no different than the worlds. If we choose to carry all the burdens and stress on our own shoulders then we are not choosing to show others how God will take those burdens away. If we choose to live stressed out lives then our example keeps others from believing there is peace and hope in Christ.
We have got to choose to put God first and choose to have an active relationship with Him. We have to choose to hold ourselves accountable in our walk with Christ and in our daily lives. We are called to be a light in this world. It is time to choose to be one.
"13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Mathew 5:13-16
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Mathew 5:13-16
I want to make sure I am clear on one thing. I am not saying that you spend your five-ten minutes with God and then go tell everyone you did. We are not just supposed to go around talking about what we read or prayed or how many things we do at the church. I am talking about choosing to have such a close relationship with Christ that it is reflected to those around you.
This will not be easy, but let's be honest. If we were to ask family, friends, neighbors and most importantly our own children, what would they say about you, your personality, you attitude? Would they describe you as loving, forgiving, patient, kind, gentle, peaceful, and faithful? If we were to ask them about your priorities in life, would they even mention your love for Christ? Would your relationship to Christ only be connected with your busyness at church and maybe even the stress of that busyness? For those who are a parent, would your biggest influence be in your child's spiritual growth, education or extra curricular activities? Is the only influence on your neighbors you choosing not to even know them? What influence did you have on the checkout clerk that was having a bad day? A couple of those things make me swallow hard. Now, again, please do not condemn yourself. Do not let the enemy condemn you. Be willing to acknowledge the conviction of the Holy Spirit, but remember Christ does not condemn.
I do not know about you, but I am ready to stop this cycle of influence and start a cycle of Godly influence. I want generations to be blessed because I choose to not only follow Christ, but to be like Him.
How do we change the influence we have on others? How do we realize the influence we have on others?
1. Choose to have an active, growing relationship with Christ. (You can't be a godly influence without God in your life.)
2. Choose to hold your actions accountable. (These scriptures are a great starting place)
"22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
"43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. " Matthew 5:43-48
"37Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-39
3. Choose to be aware of those around you, even those you do not know. Someone is watching.4. Choose to immediately repent and seek forgiveness when you stumble.
5. Choose to remember you are an influence everywhere you go.6. Choose daily to be light in this dark world.
7. Choose to remember that one day you want to hear God say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
8. Choose to give God all your burdens and stress so you can be a light for Him."19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. " Psalm 68:19
9. Choose to let the trials bring glory to God by trusting and being faithful to Him.
"2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything...12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. " James 1:1-4,12
10. Choose to put this somewhere as a daily reminder.We have been chosen by God. We will be like Christ or the world. We will influence others to choose Christ or the world. Others watching us, it is not an option. Our choice is the type of influence we will be to them. Let's make the wise choice
Homework- Reflect on those you know you have influenced.
- Think about those you may have not realized you were influencing.
- Seek and accept forgiveness for the poor influences.
- Praise God for choosing you.
- Choose to watch the way you influence today.
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