Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 29:3, Then the princes of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or these years? And to this day I have found no fault in him since he defected to me.”
What would the world say about us if the unsaved people we work with, the people we know as neighbors and friends, were asked what we are like as born again Christians? Would any of them even know we were Christians? Would their answers confirm that we are truly different than most people they know, or do they see us like any other unsaved person they know? I began this devotional by asking what the world would say, but what is most important is what God sees and knows about us. Nonetheless, I find that we have a tendency to put on the “Christian” façade when we get around other Christians, but show our true colors when there is no one to keep us accountable. Should we not be the ones with the best work ethic? Should we not be the ones who are known for being kind, gracious, and forgiving toward others? Should we not be the ones who can be depended on when we give our word? Should we not be the ones that people describe as loving? Not because of a “mushy” attitude; but because our actions towards others speak loudly of our love for Christ. Should we not be the most giving in respect to our time, talents, and resources? At the same time, should we not also be the person that others dislike, not because we are mean-spirited or evil, but because we insist on living a life that is right before God, bringing on persecution for what we believe from this world that stand against the things of God? What Achish said about David is both a compliment and a shame. We certainly want to be known as being “good workers, neighbors, and people” in general, but we do not want to compromise our walk with the Lord to the extent that we begin to look just like the world, just to avoid rejection and persecution. In reality, David should have been convicted by the fact that Achish saw him as someone who was now completely dedicated to serving him. As born again believers, the world needs to see and know that we will be model citizens of this world, but our affection and service belong to God alone. There are a number of verses that instruct us to be separate from the world, and be set apart to God. I will only mention a few here. Romans 12:1-2 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Colossians 4:5-6 admonishes us, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Finally, 1 Peter 2:11-12 clearly states, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” The bottom line is that we must live life with a balance that allows God to use our testimony to draw others to Himself, and at the same time be willing to be persecuted for God’s glory, and have the kind of reputation that provides overwhelming evidence that we belong to Jesus and will not compromise how we live for Him.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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