Sunday Reflections: 03-08-2015

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you,” we read in Colossians 3:16. One of the ways we can do that is to meditate on what we studied in scripture on Sunday. If we meditate on God’s word and apply it to our lives throughout the week, it will have a powerful, rich impact. We don’t want to be forgetful hearers of the word, but effectual doers (James 1:22), and often reflecting on what we learn and how it applies to us helps a great deal. So, I would like to share how Sunday impacted me and helps me to be the spiritual leader of my family. I hope you will share how it has encouraged you as well.

Thinking about how Jesus interacted with all sorts of people, and how our culture views words like discrimination, really forced me to think about how the words I use matter and what I communicate to my family and others is important. There is such a tension between wanting everyone to like me and speaking the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15)  

Tension means I need God’s grace, I need His help. I need God’s grace to speak the truth in love with my family, to say no to what is not best for my family, and to show my family I am willing to take a stand for Jesus and not become mute if a few terms are thrown my way. They need to see a man who loves Jesus more than the opinion of others.

Proverbs 29:25 brought that home in a powerful way to me. It states, “The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.” The concern for the thoughts of others is right there ready to capture me and consume my mind, my day and my words. If I am going to speak the truth in love, there is going to be a need to trust God, which means there is a risk since I don’t know exactly how it is going to turn out and who may or may not agree. Furthermore, that trust extends to exaltation in God’s time frame. I simply don’t know when it will be, and being ostracized in the present doesn’t mean I will never be exalted, it just means I need to trust God and focus on fearing Him. We all want to be exalted, but by whom and on what timetable?

My family needs to see that I want exaltation from God, not other human beings, including them. That doesn’t mean I am emotionally detached, but rather I am free to love and serve them because I don’t fear them. That also goes for those who oppose the testimony of Jesus Christ. I can love and serve them without being consumed by what they think about me. Again all of this is done by “speaking the truth in love.” As Pastor Viars said, “I believe the Bible, I’m just not mad about it.”

As a spiritual leader, I have to have biblical convictions and lead but not bully my family with anger, manipulation or dictatorial behavior. Instead, I need to exhibit trust in the Father that results in sacrificial leadership even if it is not popular. I need to do this with endurance motivated by the fact that God discriminated against His own Son, so that I might be redeemed to live for Him.

I need grace to avoid the snare, I need grace to endure.

How did Sunday impact you to be more Christ-like? What are your reflections from Sunday that help you apply the word of God to your life?