While on vacation, my daughter and I strolled on the beach in the cool of the evening. Interrupting her mid-sentence, I tapped her arm and pointed. “Look over there!” What appeared to be sand moving back and forth proved—upon closer inspection—to be a tiny crab scuttling across the beach. Its beige color, tiny size, and quick reflexes provided protection against being seen, much less caught. The small creature wanted to survive, not stand out.
Jesus has called us to stand out for Him, something that can lead to fruitfulness, love, and hate. When we read Jesus’ words in John 15:16-18, we may wonder how these three things can be linked. For instance, if we love and we’re fruitful, why should we expect to be hated? (John 15:19). The opening portion of John 15:16, however, provides the context for our understanding. God has called us to be visible on Earth, for we’re part of His kingdom being established here (Matthew 6:10). In other words, we’re created to proclaim His glory (Psalm 66:2).
Cultures around the world encourage people to blend in and follow designated customs. And the prevailing mindset of the day is the desire for self-preservation and self-promotion via the approval of others. Believers in Jesus, however, can follow His lead and influence culture instead of looking to it for identity (John 15:19).
We can’t live fully for Jesus if we’re too busy running for cover by trying to simply fit in. Rather than blending in to protect our well-being, let’s follow Him and His principles, loving others and not requiring them to love us in return (John 13:34-35). And if by standing for Christ we stand out, may He be honored and lives changed!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 19:1-21
More:
Read Matthew 5:11-18 and think about the various parts of your life (work, home, leisure). Consider the specific decisions you can make to be “salt” and “light” in these places.
Next:
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt vulnerable because your beliefs differed from those around you? How did you respond? What does it mean to stand for Jesus instead of blending in?
Gary Shultz on April 20, 2016 at 6:01 am
Regina, me thinks as your last line, the present day will cause us to “stand out” if we stand for Jesus. I think consistency with integrity have become much easier to spot in today’s world. I know this is me, but I tend to take a slow approach in most situations before I wave the royal banner in their face. We’re people and we do human bean stuff, it gets me when God’s most precious gift is forced down someone’s throat. I’m sorry to have a rip current on this subject, but around my area there are a lot of people with soar throats. I know we can’t “court” everyone; however we can show courtesy, kindness and care as even Christ himself did. “Influence culture” are two good words. If we stay on a caring course, isn’t it neat when God points someone in our direction who needs the kind hand of God’s Spirit. Thanks Regina.
Regina Franklin on April 20, 2016 at 10:55 pm
Hi Gary–rip current opinions are certainly welcome. I hear what you are saying, and your feedback is valid. For me, one of the easiest ways to picture how I represent my relationship to Christ is to compare it to my relationship with my husband. Because I love him and enjoy my life with him, I look forward to telling others about him. I don’t hide my wedding band when out in public (pretending to be something other than married) and neither do I make my conversations all about the tasks I complete for him or the rules I follow because I am married to him. I simply share from a place of love–I give “witness” to the life I live with him. The world needs truth, but they need to know that truth and love go hand in hand. I think you’ve captured it well–if we have the same heart for the world as Jesus did for people (He had compassion on them as sheep without a shepherd–Matt 9:36 and He wept for Jerusalem–Luke 19:41), then we will find that standing out is more about our closeness and intimacy with Christ than our distance from people.
gagirllive on April 20, 2016 at 7:07 am
Regina, a while back I purchased a salt-blend product in the hopes of reducing the sodium in my diet. Let’s just say it was sorely lacking! There’s no substitute for the real thing. 🙂 And it is the same with us being witnesses for our Lord Jesus. It’s sad that we have gotten so comfortable in the culture around us that what should have been a natural expectation, namely, persecution on some level, is now so shocking to us. We are outraged when we hear news of believers being called to task because of their religious convictions and beliefs. I believe that current conditions are slowly waking us from our spiritual slumber and causing us to stand at the cross road and choose the old way. Being a Christ-follower means going the way of our Master—going the way of the cross. We can’t camouflage ourselves or be chameleons if we’re going to do that. I’m all for lifestyle evangelism, being kind and courteous, Christ-like in our attitude, etc., as a general witness to the world. But that is in no way the extent of our witness. Jesus calls us to open up our mouths to share His gospel–to share it in love and with a spirit of grace. If shared in any other way, I doubt that true grace has been experienced or understood. Thanks, Regina, for lighting a little fire in me today to go tell somebody about Jesus. By the way, that is one mean looking crab you posted! 🙂
Regina Franklin on April 20, 2016 at 10:43 pm
Thank you gagirllive for your words of encouragement and for the way in which you beautifully captured the heart of this devotional. May the Lord awaken us all with passion for Him and compassion for those around us.
godlove on April 20, 2016 at 11:37 am
The last paragraph gives me a lot of food for thought and the questions in the “Next” section talk to me personally. It is comforting to be accepted by everyone so there are times when one would almost feel ashamed to identify publicly as a follower of Christ. I pray for the Lord’s help as I work towards it everyday but I have not yet got to the point where I feel completely confident to show my beliefs and Christian convictions to the world, particularly in obeying all of His commands including those which “the world” does not really understand or accept. In my daily life I often feel a little bit awkward when expressing my non-compromising Christian principles, especially when it makes me to stand out or look eccentric. It’s so much easier to blend in. In such situations I try to gather comfort from Paul’s words in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.” Thank you so much for this thought-provoking post Regina.
gagirllive on April 20, 2016 at 12:37 pm
Thank you for your honesty, godlove. I understand. It is easy to let the fear of man rob us of our Christian witness, but in times of timidity ask for the Spirit’s help. He really is our Enabler. I pray that your love for Christ will override your fear.
godlove on April 20, 2016 at 2:24 pm
Amen, gagirllive. Thanks very much for your encouraging words. Blessings to you.
Regina Franklin on April 20, 2016 at 10:37 pm
Praying for you, godlove! I believe that as you begin to step out, even in small ways, the Lord will put His courage inside of you.
jim spillane on April 20, 2016 at 12:31 pm
Regina – let me start off by saying that I am, by no means, a “dedicated and true proclaimer” of the gospel, and in that I am truly sorry, but it’s also something that I’m continuing to work at with the help of the Lord’s grace. I think that our commenters here have it right in that we have to be careful in how we approach our witnessing, especially to a total stranger. Today’s world talks a lot about “tolerance,” but it seems that the only thing they’re not tolerant of is Christians. The mantra of “why can’t we all just get along” seems to to apply to everyone except when it comes to “Christ-followers.” We believers and followers are certainly counter-culture, as the disciple John states in the referenced scriptures. The thing to remember in witnessing is to look for the opportunity and then do it with love. If the other person is not open to what you’re saying, end of conversation, don’t become confrontational. That’s not the “Christ-like way.” As Gary stated, we’re not to try to force it down someone’s throat. There’s a right and wrong way even when it comes to witnessing. Thanx and blessings to all.
Regina Franklin on April 20, 2016 at 10:41 pm
I agree wholeheartedly, Jim. Jesus made it clear that we should be known as His disciples not by how loudly we preach or how vehemently we protest but by our love. Even His example of our being a light, a city set on a hill, gives the image of our witness being a message of hope that draws people in, specifically that they might tangibly see the heart of the Father.