January 12, 2016
. . . so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:12
Many of us feel winning is everything or the only thing. True, it is essential in a contest whether sports or another area of life. However, what is winning?
Yesterday, rewards were discussed. Look at our verse, “win the respect.” Rewards and winning provide us with respect. A team or individual looks up to us with more favor than an opponent or fellow individual. We want to avoid the sin of pride and be looked to as the model for others. Proverbs 3:4 states “Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” This is done by how we react to a situation such as opposition to an issue, a bad decision by an official in the sports world or perhaps name calling. We should not response with anger or try to get even. Doing so lowers our esteem. Political candidates who exchange in this type of action, I believe, belittle themselves. I am not saying I favor her as a candidate but I like Hillary Clinton’s decision not to respond to Donald Trump. The latter certainly does not deserve to be our leader because of his continual outbursts on practically a daily basis. I feel very confident our Lord is not pleased with this type of behavior.
God criticized the Pharisees by calling them “hypocrites” as noted in Matthew 23. He informs them they are like a child by trying to win others to their beliefs. This is not the way! Paul says it best in Galatians 1:10:”Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Let us win with a smile on our face as we once agree with Paul’s thought in Philippians 3: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Indeed, we will be victorious without defeat and not be dependent on anyone.
Prayer: Lord, may our daily actions be a winner in your eyes and our heart as we serve Thee in all we undertake. Amen
Jeff Spang