“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
Peter talks about the importance of living for Christ, it is a fact that others watch us in our successes and failures. There are no closer observers than our children and our own family. We will never be perfect examples. We all fall short. No son or daughter expects perfection.
G.K. Chesterton remarked that the doctrine of original sin “is the only part of Christian theology which can really be proved.” I guess sin is so obvious that we cannot deny its presence.
We are not always faithful in our walk, nor praying as we should, nor loving, nor serving, but are we growing? Do we keep getting up by the power of the Lord? Do we give in to the desires and weaknesses of our flesh?
If James tells us that the tongue is impossible to control, we learn that it must be yielded to the Lord and guided by the Holy Spirit. Peter was also talking about the things we preach and teach. We want to be Biblical and controlled by the Holy Spirit.
I remember my mother and father discussing the Bible at home, reading devotions, and telling me about God. I knew they didn’t practice always what they taught, but I also heard, “I’m sorry. Forgive me. They believed what they taught even if they fell short of the goal.
There was a missionary family living in Hong Kong who were getting acquainted with Chinese language and life. As the wife was preparing for an event, their two sons were getting in her way.
He wanted a Popsicle but she was afraid he would get his shirt dirty with stain, so sent them to get ice cream. A little while the boys returned laughing with other friends. She noticed orange stains. "Why did you disobey" Her son said, “I don't know.” She reprimanded him.
The next morning, she wrapped Christmas cookies and took them to Mr. Wong. He told the story how her sons came in the store to get ice cream, but when he saw the other children without money, they changed the order to ten popsicles.
She was quite proud of them and the example they were to their friends as well as Mr. Wong. They became an example to their mother as well as a witness to the boys and to the communistic leader. Her sons were used as an example of love and service to honor Jesus.
Be an example in your faith, in your prayers, in your love, in your service, in your speech - not so people will think well of you and give you the glory, but to point them to the God of glory.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see the higher good in everything to point others to You.
