Peculiar People
For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth Deuteronomy 14:2 (KJV)
The way we interact with people can often
determine whether we rightly represent Christ in our everyday life or if we are
just blending in as one of the multitudes. Laughing at off-color jokes, or saying nothing during
gossip, or in an immoral situation giving permission to the person telling the
joke, or gossiping that it is
OK to continue in your presence.
If we fail to laugh, we discourage this behavior. Asking before they start “Is this a clean joke?”, or are you about to gossip? Develops future boundaries, that will be soon spread throughout the area as to the type of communication is acceptable in your presence.
However, removing yourselves from that behavior is not enough. The bible teaches that we should be willing to teach others about why the behavior is not acceptable[1] not force our thoughts on them, but as Paul’s says reason with them for the benefit of their salvation. Remember this can be an open chance to witness to them. (Even Christians occasionally need to be witnesses to)
If we fail to laugh, we discourage this behavior. Asking before they start “Is this a clean joke?”, or are you about to gossip? Develops future boundaries, that will be soon spread throughout the area as to the type of communication is acceptable in your presence.
However, removing yourselves from that behavior is not enough. The bible teaches that we should be willing to teach others about why the behavior is not acceptable[1] not force our thoughts on them, but as Paul’s says reason with them for the benefit of their salvation. Remember this can be an open chance to witness to them. (Even Christians occasionally need to be witnesses to)
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but
only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it
may benefit those who listen" (Eph
4:29).
Moreover, when we give a platform for off-color
jokes or behavior we become accountable for that sin. God sees it as if we had
had spoken the raciest or sexual explicit joke, or if we had been the gossiper,
and He holds us accountable for our part in their sin. 2 John 1:11(NIV) says “Anyone
who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.”
Defining ourselves as the peculiar people[2] we are called to be puts us under constant surveillance by all whom we meet. But this is not bad, in this our actions give testimony of God and our light can so shine that men will see it and glorify God.
We are called to love our brothers not just those in our presence but also those afar, Therefore we must be responsible not for just what comes out of our mouths, but also those that we give a platform to. What may be seen as a completely disparate situation can have an enormous impact on whether we will be able to bring a person to Christ or not. When we are seen blameless before men by faith in Christ Jesus we become a complete witness in words and in deeds.
Defining ourselves as the peculiar people[2] we are called to be puts us under constant surveillance by all whom we meet. But this is not bad, in this our actions give testimony of God and our light can so shine that men will see it and glorify God.
We are called to love our brothers not just those in our presence but also those afar, Therefore we must be responsible not for just what comes out of our mouths, but also those that we give a platform to. What may be seen as a completely disparate situation can have an enormous impact on whether we will be able to bring a person to Christ or not. When we are seen blameless before men by faith in Christ Jesus we become a complete witness in words and in deeds.
"LORD,
who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk
is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his
heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and
casts no slur on his fellowman" (Psalm
15:1-3).
Your brother in Christ
T. Charves FireSpeaks
[1] We must remember that the law is used when communicating with sinners, even Christians that have fallen into sin.
[2] (Deuteronomy 14:2) For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth