In our recent lesson on handling the gospel of Christ, we noted the need to live worthy of that will revealed to us by our God — a perfect and complete will that elevates those who obey. A worthy life takes knowledge and diligence on our part. Such a life lived is exemplary, and obviously so, not only to brethren, but also to the world. A Christian who seeks to live worthy of the gospel will serve as a wonderful influence to others.
This truth was in mind when I recently came across a sermon outline prepared by Joe Price a couple of years ago. Roughly following that outline, I want to share with you some thoughts about how we as Christians can be good influences to others.
First, we can be honest in our character. This is certainly something that God expects of His children. It is an important principle, that though the world and some religions give exceptions, God in His holy scriptures does not. “Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25). God hates a lying tongue (cf. Proverbs 6:16-17). In fact, our meditations and concentration should be upon things that are true, noble, just and pure (cf. Philippians 4:8), with the promise “the God of peace will be with you.”
In addition to honesty in our relations with others, our speech needs to be pure. There are many ways that speech can be corrupt. Things like gossip, lying, backbiting and slander. However, let’s focus on profanity and filthiness. Such comes from an unrighteous heart. It is endemic. Some may not know that the difference in a pandemic and an endemic virus is not the destructive power of the illness, but how broad its spread! Profanity in our culture, destructive and undiluted, is both present everywhere and accepted by most. It should not be by God’s people! “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth” (Colossians 3:8). It is a curious and unacceptable thing to see and hear individuals who claim to be disciples of Christ ever use profanity in their communications.
It makes perfect sense that in addition to pure speech, the Christian’s influence depends upon purity in conduct. Untold damage has been done by the denominations because of unrighteous actions by the “clergy”, and by a toleration of sinful works by various churches. However, the problem is found in the Lord’s church as well. It was present in New Testament times, (cf. 1 Corinthians 5), and it is present today as well. Too many Christians engage in immorality and embrace worldliness, and too may churches accept it instead of exercising the discipline that Christ demands. “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened” (1 Corinthians 5:6-7). God expects us to maintain purity as His people! “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12).
Perhaps the most obvious characteristic that brings about good influence toward others is kindness. The worldly, even when impure and profane, still value kindness. It is actually a very important part of the Christian’s value system as well. In fact, our standard of kindness and caring is to excel beyond what is characteristic in the world. Jesus said to His disciples, “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:43-48).
Sincerity and caring are appreciated by all but the most depraved. If we show by gentleness and kindness that we love others, we may be able to save their souls! “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
Loyalty to God’s word is the final piece to the influence puzzle. Put simply, living by our convictions is noted and admired by others. We look at Daniel, whose prayers did not falter (cf. Daniel 6:10), or the apostles who chose to obey God rather than men (cf. Acts 5:29), and we are amazed at the strength of their conviction. It is not only that they believed something, but that their lives were solely controlled by the will of another. The will of God. This was certainly true of Paul’s life, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
By living worthy of the gospel, we serve as wonderful influences to others. As Paul wrote, “among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). One of our duties is to be salt and light. It is what God created for us to do! (Ephesians 2:10).
