Wednesday, January 24, 2018

"In Such A Way"

Message summary: Today let us live "in such a way"!

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"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12).

Yesterday, while our car was being serviced next door, we moseyed through Boscov's, a large department store in Lebanon PA. Brooksyne found several items to purchase and I found a vest. After we paid the clerk she placed our items into a bag, but Brooksyne suggested I just wear the vest since it was a puff vest which would require yet another bag. The clerk actually clipped off the tags enabling me to wear the vest out of the store. Since I'm not one who stands around very long if Brooksyne is paying for items I went on ahead and out the exit doors.

Well, unbeknownst to me, I caught the eye of an alert plainclothes store security guard. Thankfully he first checked with the store clerk to ask if the vest was paid for. I had no idea that I was under surveillance and that my testimony was in peril, until Brooksyne later told me she overheard his conversation with the clerk.

It did get me thinking though. What if he had approached me? I didn't have the receipt; it was back in the store with the other items. What if Brooksyne would have said, "I don't know that man" (which would have been an extremely, heart-breaking disappointment)!

But it also got me thinking about a conversation Brooksyne and I had several days ago. She, more so than I, was raised in a very strict home. When Brooksyne or her siblings would inquire about a particular activity or location they wanted to visit her dad and mom would often respond, "No, you cannot go there" or "No, you cannot participate. It will ruin your testimony." Truth be told, much of the forbidden activity was more related to her dad's upbringing and their church affiliation rather than that which was specifically Biblically forbidden.

She elaborates:


Today, sadly in many expressions of Christianity the notion of "ruining your testimony" would be scoffed at. "Anything goes" according to many popular voices since we are "under grace". In fact those that hold to Biblical standards and seek to live in obedience are often mocked as "legalistic".

The first daily text includes the words of our Lord in the "Sermon on the Mount". Each word and phrase is worthy of consideration but today let us consider the phrase "in such a way". Thankfully the instruction manual of Holy Scripture reveals how we are to live. In regard to my experience yesterday at Boscov's if I hadn't paid for the vest I would be breaking the 8th commandment, "Thou shalt not steal."

A powerful and essential form of discipleship is merely following the godly example of a more mature believer. In the second daily text Paul, passing on the spiritual torch to the next generation wrote, "Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." This text elaborates on several points about living in such a way that others may see our good works, and glorify our Father who is in heaven. For each of these we want to share a descriptive phrase and Scripture verse.

1) Wholesome Speech: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29).

2) Purpose-filled Life: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope" (Titus 2:11-14).

3) Demonstrable Love: Jesus taught, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35).

4) Overcoming Faith: "This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4).

5) God-honoring Purity:  "But each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen who do not know God" (I Thessalonians 4:5). The moral cesspool is getting worse and worse and the call to moral purity is needed more and more.

Today let us live "in such a way"!


Be encouraged today.


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, since our lives are "the only Bible that some people read" we want to be careful of what we say and do, lest we give a wrong impression of what it is to be a follower of Christ. Keep us mindful of the truth that we influence others for the kingdom of God, either for good or for ill. Thankfully, your loving Spirit draws people to Yourself, and supersedes that which we do to hamper one's impression of faith followers. Nevertheless, we are given responsibility to let our light shine before others, so that they may see our good works, and glorify You, our Father, which is in heaven. We seek to be obedient in doing this so that we might influence others to follow You and gain citizenship in the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

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The Hiding Place - I, Brooksyne, really came into my own thinking and took my own position regarding the movie theater setting. During our junior year at College the very popular movie, "The Hiding Place" arrived in Springfield, MO.  Billy Graham association produced it following the wonderful book Corrie ten Boom wrote about her family's experience of hiding Jews during Hitler's reign. I had read the book and wanted to see the movie as did many other students at our Bible College. As I recall, our Bible College was not in favor of movie attendance at local theaters but made an exception for this movie. I remember walking into the theater and was a tad fearful of being struck by lightning. Of course I overcame such manmade thinking and realized the bigger reason for my attendance. It was an excellent movie that inspired me to be faithful to God in the midst of persecution and unbelief.

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"I Would Be True"  Video  Cambridge Singers