Stop trying to figure it all out. Stop trying to tell people how to raise children, how to vote, how to interpret the Bible, how to resolve political and cultural turmoil. The world is not really interested in your Christian view.
Our viewpoint is one of hope through faith in God's promises. This hope will not seem logical to non-believers, nor will it look like good advice, because our faith is centered on unseen things.
Romans 8:24-25 NIV For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Our perspectives and behavior look foreign to the world so we shouldn’t be surprised.
Though it is tempting for us to try to change the world, our purpose in God is not to change others’ opinions, but to remain ready to share Christ’s hope.
1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (emphasis mine)
The world will not beat a path to our door in search of insight; and in fact, if they do hear it, they might decide to hate us.
Look at what the Apostle wrote to Christians in Thessalonica.
1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 NIV And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (emphasis mine)
When Paul says we should mind our business, it suggests that we keep our vision focused. When our vision is focused, what we say and do will incidentally reveal our hope and draw the interest of those around us.
Instead of striving so hard to reform the world arounds us, Scripture continually reminds us to be imitators of God.
Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. (emphasis mine)
In contrast to always trying to project rightness Jesus calls us to is the cross.
Through surrender, we’re given the greater strength, the very power of Christ to work within us.
2 Timothy 2:21 NLT If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
It is His power at work in us, not our human strength that causes others to seek the peace that we have in Jesus. So stop trying to change the world. Let the light of Jesus shine through you and let His light change the world, but always remember that you are only the reflection on His light.
Matthew 5:14-16 NLT “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
John 8:12 NLT Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
Our viewpoint is one of hope through faith in God's promises. This hope will not seem logical to non-believers, nor will it look like good advice, because our faith is centered on unseen things.
Romans 8:24-25 NIV For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Our perspectives and behavior look foreign to the world so we shouldn’t be surprised.
Though it is tempting for us to try to change the world, our purpose in God is not to change others’ opinions, but to remain ready to share Christ’s hope.
1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (emphasis mine)
The world will not beat a path to our door in search of insight; and in fact, if they do hear it, they might decide to hate us.
Look at what the Apostle wrote to Christians in Thessalonica.
1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 NIV And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (emphasis mine)
When Paul says we should mind our business, it suggests that we keep our vision focused. When our vision is focused, what we say and do will incidentally reveal our hope and draw the interest of those around us.
Instead of striving so hard to reform the world arounds us, Scripture continually reminds us to be imitators of God.
Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. (emphasis mine)
In contrast to always trying to project rightness Jesus calls us to is the cross.
Through surrender, we’re given the greater strength, the very power of Christ to work within us.
2 Timothy 2:21 NLT If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
It is His power at work in us, not our human strength that causes others to seek the peace that we have in Jesus. So stop trying to change the world. Let the light of Jesus shine through you and let His light change the world, but always remember that you are only the reflection on His light.
Matthew 5:14-16 NLT “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
John 8:12 NLT Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
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