The Good of Others

1 Corinthians 10:24 NLT
Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

In this fast paced world we find ourselves in the advice given most often is to be concerned for number one, ourselves first and foremost. If I’m okay then you're okay. And many have adopted this as a way of life.

Many of us donate money to various charities and even to our church. Then we let them do the good with our money. And we think that takes care of it; that this is how to be concerned for others.

Perhaps it is just that we do not want to interupt our life to get down and dirty with others. We are involved with the lifestyle we have and that is providing a good living for us and giving us the means to give for the sake of others.

Wow, how easy it is to justify our actions.

I believe God wants us to put others first. He wants us committed to lending a helping hand and not giving money as a substitute. And even when it means giving up something we have or want to do.

“Father, help me see what others need and give me the ability to supply that need, first hand. Show me how to put others before my wants and desires. Help me to see through your eyes. In Jesus name, I pray.”

New Life

2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

I just looked at some pictures of myself from thirty years ago. When I walk past a mirror it is like I was transported from that young man I still think of myself as to that old guy in the mirror. But that older version of me is the me I have become.

This scripture tells us that when we become born again we become a new person. That old guys still exists with all the same experiences in life, good and bad. And he still has the same human nature flaws. But a door has been created allowing us to move back and forth from that old man to the new.

The secret is to stay on the new side of the door. But circumstances of life seem to pull us back to the other side. It take a conscience effort to pull away from circumstances and reach out to our Lord; to become that new person Jesus' death on the cross made available to us.

"Father, thank you for the new life you have given me. Help me to walk as that new man. Help me to have the mind of Christ so others, when they look at me will see the face of Jesus. They will see His light shining through me. In Jesus name, I pray."

Live Wisely

Colossians 4:5 NLT 
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

How we live does affect those around us. And conversely, those we hang around with can have an effect on us as well. It is so easy to just stick with our close friends at church and do everything with them.

Although that might be good for us it tends to keep us from doing what God has for us to do in the world. And by avoiding situations where we are dealing with unbelievers we are avoiding trouble that we might need to go through to grow in our faith.

But we do not want to blend in so well with those outside of our circle of friends that we act and talk just like them. Often what they do does not line up with God's word. We must be careful to walk correctly and not get tripped up by the fun others appear to be having in the moment.

"Father God, while I am with others help me so my actions, my speech, and my response always line up with the Word of God. May my lifestyle rub off on them and not the other way around. Help me to live wisely. In Jesus name, I pray."

Because of His Grace

Titus 3:7-8 NLT
Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

As believers we have confidence in Jesus Christ. We believe what is written in God's word penned by man under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Our Bible was written over hundreds of years and yet it all fits together with the old prophecy coming true in the later years. And prophecy in the later years that is coming true in the present years with more to come forth in the future.

Romans 10:4 NIV
Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

He declared us righteous. We are washed in His blood shed for us on the cross. Our sins are washed clean--past, present, and future. We have been called and are chosen for a future with Him eternally.

We are not to keep this to ourselves, but are to teach others all we have learned and are learning as we get closer and closer to Jesus; as our relationship with Him gets stronger and stronger.

All His teachings are good for us and meant to benefit everyone, everyone who believes. Everyone who is saved and washed in His blood.

"Holy Spirit, teach me how to be good in all I do. Teach me to be the person I am called to be. In Jesus name I pray."

Finishing the Work

Acts 20:24 NLT
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus-the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

When we think of work most of us think of doing something we have to do to support ourselves and our family. It is a forty hour obligation. If we are fortunate we are doing something we like to do. Even so, we cannot choose when we do it. We have to be there for the assigned number of hours or not keep the job.

Then when we look at being a Christian we think about the fact that we are saved by grace and not by works. And that is true. No matter how hard we work and how honest we are we cannot ever do anything to earn our salvation. It is a free gift to all who ask to receive it.

When we do ask Jesus into our heart to be our Lord and Savior, that is when the work begins. And that work is telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Who have you told recently? Have you been finishing the work assigned to you?