The Bible says, ‘Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them’ (1 John 2:15 NIV 2011 Edition).
But some of us act like loving the Lord more requires loving those around us less. We may feel awkward around them, or lose touch with them, or not know how to communicate with them, or we give off signals that we are spiritually superior to them. The Contemporary English Bible puts it this way: ‘If you act wisely, others will follow’ (Proverbs 11:30 CEV).
You are called to bring joy to people, not judge them. God has already established a time and a place for judging, and you won’t be on the throne when He does it! Jesus is called ‘the good shepherd’ (John 10:11), and the Greek word for good literally means ‘engaging, attractive, fetching’.
Christ was so magnetic that people were automatically drawn to Him. Are they drawn to you? Jesus said we are called to be salt and light. Salt makes the taste of food more enjoyable, and light shed on their path shows people the right way to go. Because they were wise and winsome, Isaiah the prophet spoke into the lives of kings, the three Hebrew children changed the politics of Babylon, and Joseph the economist saved Egypt from famine.
Yes, Satan is at work taking Christ out of Christmas, prayer out of schools, and God out of government. But he won’t win, and he knows it (see Revelation 12:12). His strategy, however, is to convince us that he can. So today endeavour to be wise and winsome so you can lead people to Christ.
Prov 30-31, 2 Cor 3
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