Nothing has done more harm to the cause of Christ than the “little things” we do each day of which we take little notice. Termites do the same, but you don’t see the extensive damage until later, for they work their destruction underneath. Little by little. And this is how destructive our influence is when we do “little things” which we believe no one will take notice.
“The little things? The little moments? – They aren’t little.” ~ Unknown
“For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.” Zechariah 4:10
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10
We are to teach others the Gospel, but if we allow our everyday lives to be lived as the world, how effective can we be in teaching? There are more ways to teach than we know, and some are through the example and/or the conversation of our lives.
Most people are not going to sit down and study the Bible with us, not these days of distractions. But……they will look at how you live your life even though you may not want them peering into it. Don’t you do the same? Do you not look at others and draw your own conclusions? If we are going to “talk the talk” we had better be “walking the walk.” Teaching is one thing, but if our lives do not reflect His Word in the treatment of others, then no amount of teaching, no amount of lectureships, no amount of retreats, and no amount of talking will do any good. As the saying goes. “I had rather see a sermon than hear one.” And as Johnny Ramsey used to say, “You may be the only Gospel some people read.”
“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
I Peter 2:12
“For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” I Peter 2:15-17
If our speech is ugly. If we dress as the world. If we are dishonest with people. If we don’t pay our bills. If we are unkind, easily angered, malicious, impatient, stern, lying, bearing false witness, unloving, bearing grudges against our fellow Christians or others, if we are spiteful, if we are hateful, if we murmur and complain, if we are not understanding of our fellow Christian, or fellowman, if we sulk and pout when we don’t get our way, if we are mean spirited with our families and others, if we are not easily entreated, if we run with the worldy crowd, if we work “off the books” to gain an advantage, “false weights and balances,” and many other things of like nature, be warned, the world does see, and the world does take note. They may never tell you. You may never know. But God sees, and the world does as well. Word gets around, make no mistake, and normally at your local coffee shop, where the Christian is roasted as well.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:22-24
How effective can we be in teaching if we have not “Salt and Light” (Mt.5:13-16), and if we blend so well with the world, the world sees no difference in the way we live as opposed to how they live? The world chooses to bring us to its level. It makes them feel better if they can point a finger and say they are just as good as the Christian.
“Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltiness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.” Mark 9:50
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
There was a man who lived not far from me. He was in the same business we were in. He was an elder in the Lord’s church, but many times, and even now, though he has passed on to his reward, people remind me how he “worked off the books” and did not turn in but a bare minimum of what he earned. I cringe every time I hear the statement, for a seemingly “little thing” has brought reflection upon the Lord’s church. I never have an answer for them other than, he knew from Scripture what was right, but chose to do wrong.
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to Him it is sin.” James 4:17
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:13
“Not the cry, but the flight of a wild duck leads the flock to fly and follow.” ~ Chinese Proverb
Eileen Light