Eric Hogue (Radio Talk Host and Syndicated Columnist)
Does our lack of spiritual maturity in our lives impact the one's around us?
"Am I My Brother’s Keeper?" None of us lives to himself - Romans 14:7
Has it ever dawned on you that you are responsible spiritually to God for other people?
For instance, if I allow any turning away from God in my private life, everyone around me suffers. We "sit together in the heavenly places..." ( Ephesians 2:6 ). "If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it..." ( 1 Corinthians 12:26 ). If you allow physical selfishness, mental carelessness, moral insensitivity, or spiritual weakness (lack of faith), everyone in contact with you will suffer 'because' of worldly choices and the enemies success in producing trials, damage.
It's a tough one, but I've seen spouses and children take families through hell - the shadow of death - and all were impacted by the one's wrong direction and choices. But you ask, "Who is sufficient to be able to live up to such a lofty standard?" "Our sufficiency is from God..." and God alone (2 Corinthians 3:5 ). It takes a "Kingdom attitude over a creation mindset" to keep focused in faith.
"You shall be witnesses to Me..." ( Acts 1:8 ). How many of us are willing to spend every bit of our nervous, mental, moral, and spiritual energy for Jesus Christ?
That is what God means when He uses the word witness. Beth Moore teaches that Father God wants to reveal Himself as the great 'I Am'; people will look at us, consider our sinfulness and make a statement that "it must be God, for nothing that good or miraculous can come from that person."
Why has God left us on the earth? Is it simply to be saved and sanctified (Christianized)? No, it is to be at work in service to Him and to reveal faith in a higher life - kingdom. Am I willing to be broken bread and poured-out wine for Him? Am I willing to be of no value to this age or this life except for one purpose and one alone - to be used to disciple men and women to the Lord Jesus Christ. My life of service to God is the way I say "thank you" to Him for His inexpressibly wonderful salvation. Remember, it is quite possible for God to set any of us aside if we refuse to be of service to Him"...lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified" ( 1 Corinthians 9:27 ).
Oswald Chambers (and a little of Eric Hogue inserted)
6 comments:
I really like the begining of this and at the same time realize the magnitude of it. I suspect we do not spend enough time thinking about how our actions truly impact those around us. I know that I am aware, but do I truly understand the actual influence they might have?? My prayer is that we all reflect His image as gsiano often sya we might be the only glimpse of Christ someone ever sees.
Blessings
cas
Father,
I pray that you use me today to influence others in Your Name. I pray that you giveme the strength to overcome adversity, to overcome worldly desires. Father I pray that you would make me into Your image today.
In Jesus Name
Amen
Amen to that LDB
two things jumped out - 1) how i impact my family if i am not in the word of God and if i am not living for Him that my actions can kind of keep my wife and child from knowing and experiencing God. and how that is really selfish and just flat our horrible. 2) the magnitude of surrender that we must have for God - it is hard but we must give more than we probably want to.
Great prayer ldb!! I echo that this morning to God!!
This is a reminder for me of the potential fallout of going my own way...The rippling effect of my impact starting with my family on the inner ring out to the church, my neighborhood, my co-workers etc.
This quote made me chuckle a little bit:
"...Beth Moore teaches that Father God wants to reveal Himself as the great 'I Am'; people will look at us, consider our sinfulness and make a statement that "it must be God, for nothing that good or miraculous can come from that person."
I paraprased this statement as, I know that dude and that was too good to be him so it HAS to be GOD!!
Too often I think about how I am doing personally from a spiritual standpoint versus how I am affecting others (either positively or negatively). My prayer is I can lead by example as well as teach at home so I have a positive impact on my family and at work....
Post a Comment