Living in an Unsettled World
Life is often very trying whether you are a Christian or
not. Difficult circumstances fall on the righteous and unrighteous alike.
However, the Christian life often adds to our difficulties. We may be
discriminated against because of our faith, or our beliefs may eliminate the
"easy" ways out of a problem. But Christ does not ask us to suffer
anything for Him that He was not willing to suffer for us. Someday we will be rewarded
for our diligence and faith.
Who is He to you
May I ask you a personal question? Do you believe that
Jesus Christ is Lord? You do? Then may I ask you another question? Is He your
Lord?
Let’s be more specific.
• Is He Lord of
your tongue?
• Is He Lord of
your time?
• Is He Lord of
your treasure?
• Is He Lord of
your talents?
• Is He Lord of
your testimony?
• Is He Lord in
deed as well as word?
Is He truly Lord? Now, don’t answer too quickly.
"LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live
on your holy hill?" (Ps 15:1).
In February 2001 Sales and Marketing magazine did a
survey and found that among those surveyed:
58% cheat on expense reports
50% work a second job on company time
36% rush closed deals through accounting before they were
really closed
22% list a "strip bar" as a restaurant on an
expense report
19% give a kickback to a customer*
If Psalm 15 were the core value of every business plan
and purpose statement and reviewed with every employee before hiring, the
workplace would be a very different place. What type of person can live in the
presence of God? The psalmist tells us:
"He whose walk is blameless and who does what is
righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his
tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who
despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even
when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe
against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken" (Ps
15:2-5).
As Christians, sometimes we are called to surrender the
things we love most in order to preserve what Christ has done. It may be our
hard-won careers, our deepest dreams, perhaps even the desire for a family of
our own. It is a cold and bitter truth, but like many others, Christ does not
leave us alone and without hope.
Have you ever thought that one way we lose Jesus is when
nonessentials displace essentials. When we are busy, often our spiritual lives
are the first things to go. We don't have time to read God's Word. We don't
have time to pray, even for a moment. We can't afford to give anything to God
because we have so many things to buy. We allow nonessentials to take the place
of essentials.
Are you blameless in your approach to your work life? Are
you truthful in all your dealings? Do you treat customers, vendors and fellow
employees as your neighbor? Do you say what you do truthfully and do what you
say? Do you follow through even if the outcome may not be positive? Will you
lend money without usury to a friend and refuse a bribe? If you can say yes to
these questions then you are a Psalm 15 man or woman and you can dwell on God's
Holy hill.
Someone has said, “Christianity is Christ.” How true. We
who believe are now in a new position; we are “in Christ.” He is to be the
center of our lives. He is to be the focus of the life of the church. We must
not let anything else distract us. What about you? What place does Jesus Christ
have in your life?
References:
*-- Sales & Marketing Magazine, Feb. 2001
Blessings,
Raj Kosaraju
Comments
Post a Comment