Show Them Jesus

"Our best response to what we see in other is love."

THERE IS A RESTAURANT I frequent where all the locals go, and locals being locals, they come as they are, workmen in dirty uniforms, people fresh from church in their Sunday best, that older generation who live alone, to sit for a while and do the crossword. Everyone is welcome. Not just because the restaurant owners need the business but because they are familiar names and faces. We greet the waitress, ask how she is doing, she asks how things are with us.

In reality, we may have nothing in common but the restaurant. Start up a debate about Christianity, politics, or education, and we might be at each other’s throats. But because of a table and a meal, we’re friends. That’s as it should be. Sitting there, gazing around, we can see our differences. With our plate in front of us, we can see them, too. A little eavesdropping, and we hear things said we shake our heads at or smile. But no one stands up and chews someone out because of mustard or ripped jeans or language. It’s an amazing thing, people from all walks of life can live in the same community, under the same government, under the same flag, yet be in unity.

The apostle Paul makes a statement in 1 Corinthians 9 about living with those around you. To the Jews, he became as a Jew. To those under the law, he became as under the law. To them without the law, he became as without the law. To the weak, he became weak. I like the way the Remedy translation phrases these verses.

“When I am with Jews, I respect their customs and traditions in order not to offend … When I am with legalists, who adhere to many rules, I respect their rules (even though I know they provide no remedy to sin), in order not to offend … When I am with those who don’t know about God’s law of love or his methods that heal, I respect their customs and don’t act in ways that will make them feel inferior or condemned (but I continue to live in harmony with God’s law of love as revealed in Christ), in order not to offend … As to the weak in faith—I empathize with their weakness in order to win them to the truth about God as revealed in Christ. I meet all people where they are, in order to open their hearts to the Remedy Christ has procured, and thereby save as many as possible.” (1 Corinthians 9:20-23, Remedy)

Paul’s heart for all groups of people he found himself amidst was to not offend them but win their hearts to God’s truth. Stating this backward, he knew he would not win their hearts to God by being offensive to them, EVEN IF THEY WERE WRONG in their beliefs. He did not endorse their beliefs, but he showed them his. He showed them Jesus.

There are many people in society around us that we disagree with, but in order to live at peace, which is God’s command to us as individuals, as citizens of cities, as citizens of a central government, we must leave our hatchet at home and be the love of God. In all situations, where it is difficult or where it is easy, we are love as Jesus displayed it. Amongst His disciples were fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, a doctor, and a trail of women who supported His ministry. He healed all who came to Him and was sent to a Gadarene possessed by demons, a Samaritan woman who’d had five husbands and was living with man number six. An adulterous woman was tossed at His feet, and He defended her.

Our best response to what we see in others is love. Yes, if cornered, they may defend their lifestyle choices, but that is my point. The love of God displayed from us doesn’t corner people. Change of heart comes from the work of the Holy Spirit in them. Minister Mario Murillo said when people were saved during the Jesus People movement, they’d repeat the sinner’s prayer then go home and smoke a joint. They returned to their habits, but it was amazing how the Spirit would work in them, and one morning, however long later, they’d realize they didn’t need that stuff anymore. Their job as the church, he said, was simply to love them. God changed them.

Our job as the church is simply to love them. And if you can find nothing else to say, as my mom always quips, ask about the dog. Talk about the weather. But avoid topics that you know they will find offensive. Often, the love of God is what we refuse to say more than what we choose to say. And on that line, greatest of all, listen to the Holy Spirit and say what He would have you say, if you speak. Jesus told His disciples that there would come a time when they were dragged before governors and kings, and the Spirit of God would give them what to say, “For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you (Matthew 10:20).” When we hear Him and say what He gives us to say, we won’t mess up. But instead, seeds will be planted, and no matter who plants the seed or who waters it, it is God who makes them grow.

“I planted the truth about God, and Apollos watered this truth with the wisdom God has given him, but it is God who causes the truth to grow and bring forth fruit of a Christlike character. It is God who heals; it is God who restores.” (1 Corinthians 3:6, Remedy)

READ "Unity."
"We celebrate each other simply for winning the latest vacuum cleaner. We celebrate the man who just won women's jewelry. The woman who now owns a yacht. The soldier who, on his day off, sat in the audience and managed to make it on stage and win living room furniture."


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com