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As John the Baptist (quoting Isaiah 40) said: “Prepare the way for the lord, make straight paths for him”
Hear me read this article (and add more) with the audio supplements available in my E-zine at www.everyday-evangelism.com.au
'Connections', a 7 day “Everyday Evangelism” mini seminar
Day 3: “Let’s show them we are ‘fair dinkum, Mate (Australian for authentic)’
OK. What I’m talking about is credibility here. Our actions must match what we say. If not, we’re frauds in the eyes of those we seek to bring to Christ. We must be ‘Holy’. I don’t mean ‘Holy’ in some trite way (‘Holier than Thou’ or even condescending), I mean ‘True to Character’. One aspect of ‘Holiness’ is exactly that: ‘True to Character’. Even Satan is ‘Holy’. He will act against God’s purposes, which is exactly true to his character. If we claim Jesus as our Saviour, then we must act in accordance with God’s purposes, both in words and actions.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 11: 1 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”
John Maxwell also gives a good quote. “Integrity is not a given factor in everyone’s life. It is a result of self-discipline, inner trust, and a decision to be relentlessly honest in all situations in our lives.”
Some other good sayings can be found at:
http://www.jesussite.com/quotes/integrity.htm
Remember, we won’t always be perfect. We can even be honest about that with those around us. They will in all likelihood respect us for it.
We don’t have to be totally the same to fit in. True friends respect each other. I am sometimes skeptical of Christians who claim peer pressure from non-Christian friends to join in unbiblical behavior excludes them from the group. I feel often, they simply have made no connections or worse are inconsistent in their Christian walk. There’s nothing like inconsistency to bring on ridicule.
I have been involved in the Armed Forces, Nursing and the Outlaw Motorcycle scene to name just three. At no time did I ever feel excluded because I didn’t drink alcohol to excess, swear every second word or chase sex wherever I could get it. Those aspects of the lifestyle I did not take on. It was hard at times. Working in a Prison and being with non-Christians a lot means I never swear. At this point my Wife would look at me and say something like “Yea, right”. Sometimes it’s hard when you’re a red blooded male and the bike magazines around you are full of ‘big twins’ that aren’t always a Harley. Thankfully I don’t have a problem with alcohol, but I must be mindful of others who might.
It is a struggle to live as Jesus wants us to. We may be the only models some people see. While God will certainly forgive us when we sin (and maybe teach us a lesson to boot), what mixed messages are we giving to our lost friends around us?
May God bless you in all your endeavors.
Andrew D. Carter
“Everyday Evangelism”
My parting thoughts for now:
In the last month in what ways have you brought glory to God through both what you have said and how you have related to others around you? Write them in your Journal.
Read NEHEMIAH 13:14, 22 (Last Half) and the last few words in this book. Pray your own prayer with Nehemiah.
Author Resource:-
I am a Commissioned Church Army Officer. Church Army is a world wide Anglican (Episcopal) society of Evangelists. I was commissioned in 1991 after obtaining a Diploma of Evangelism (Dip. Ev.) from the Church Army College Australia.
Currently, I am the full-time Anglican (Episcopal) Chaplain for the Silverwater Correctional Centre. The Silverwater complex is located in the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. I have worked here on the complex for over ten years.
Before my Chaplaincy I was on staff at Saint Andrew’s Cathedral working with homeless people in Sydney’s inner city. From there I joined ‘Streetwork’, working with drug effected and street youth. I also was involved in pub ministry. One of my main tasks was putting into place the necessary structures to connect local churches with these groups so ongoing ministry would be both viable and effective.
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