the encounter

what would it take for others to recognize that God is real in your life? for many years I thought it would happen if I…

• wore Christian t-shirts
• had Christian bumper stickers
• played my Christian music real loud
• always quoted Bible verses
• went to every event the church offered
• went out “witnessing” to others

don’t get me wrong, those can be good things. but the reality of God in my life is much more than just whatI present to others outwardly.when God chose to show thereality of Himself to us, He did so throughshowing grace to us. He favored us when we didn’t deserve it. He loved us when we were unlovely. He gave whenall we had done was take.

the reality of God came to usthrough relationship.

relationship that He initiated in sacrifice, love, and grace.

what He calls us to be and do with others is the same. relate. relate to other with grace. show them by your sacrifice, grace, and love that God is real in you.

if we can’t relate to others with forgiveness, compassion, grace, mercy then the outward actions of going to church and displaying our faith will be of little substance.

the message of the New Testament calls us to show grace with such extravagance in our actions that it causes others to notice something is very different about us. we don’t have to “publicize” our faith, because the reality of it in our relationships already speaks so loudly about God in us.

try this…

for one week, don’t say anything to anyone about your faith. don’t use words, t-shirts, orbumper stickers to announce who you are. instead for live with such extravagant grace for others that it causes them to wonder what makes you so different.

overwhelm your spouse with grace. cause your children to wonder what happened to you. make your friends curious. live it in such away at work that others are the ones bringing up faith in the workplace.

but have reverence for Christ in your hearts, and honor Him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answeranyone who asks you to explain the hope that you have in you… 1 Peter 3:15

if we do this, we just might be getting somewhere.

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influencers. they are the people who impact our life and make a difference in who we are. a young leader once received direction from an older man about how to become a man of real influence. his words make for some of the most profound wisdom ever written. here’s what he said…

• seek to create desire in others by the grace you show them

a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be kind to everyone… (2 timothy 2:24a)

in other words, if you want to make a difference in the lives of others, it won’t happen by arguing, debating, yelling, or threatening them. it won’t happen because you forcedor guilted them into submission.it will happen because you have been someone to them that they want to be. it will create in them desire to want to listen and change.

so often we think that if we can win the argument and prove them wrong then we’ve won. sadly, it is possible to win the debate and lose a person’s heart. the heart (pursuits & desires of a person) has to become our goal.

• make use of teachable moments

be able to teach… (vs. 24b)

make the most of the real moments of life. guide others. encourage others. watch for the moment when their heart is open to learn. be ready in that moment.

• wait for their heart to be ready

and be patient with difficult people… (vs. 24c)

relating to other people always requires patience. the message we send when we are patientis louder than anything else we sayor do. whodo you run to when you are in need of a friend? who do you turn to when you’ve messed up? isit not those who are most patient with you?

• help them understand with humility

gentlyinstruct those who oppose thetruth… (vs. 25a)

its okay to not always have the answer. its okay to admit you struggle. these are some of the most powerful ways for relating to others. you gain volumes of credibility and trust when others know you are humble, honest, and vulnerable.

• depend completely on God

perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. (vs. 25b)

what a powerful truth – heart change always comes before mental learning. before a person understands, their heart has to be in a position to receive truth. I cannot make another change in their desires, character, and person. that has to happen on the level of heart. that has to happen by the move of God in someone’s life.

these principles have far reaching impact in so many relationships. think through each of them and how they apply to your friendships, your marriage, parenting, family, church, and how you view those who do not know God.

the results just might change everything.

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300,000 women and children exploited for sex in our country each year.

The stats are astounding.

“You may choose to look the other way but you can never again say you did not know.” – William Willberforce

This demands attention!

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Already seeing Christmas decorations and sales at your local stores? Wanting to make a difference this year and ensure your purchases are slave free?

Be sure and check out NightLight’s and NotForSale’s online stores for products made by (and supporting) former slaves.

Both groups have some great jewelry and products for men, women and children.

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there is one thing that proves the reality of your faith more than any other. its not how:

• often you “go to” church
• much of the Bible you know
• involved you are in outreach and missions
• much money you give
• long you pray

those are all outward actions that prove little of the reality of what’s in your heart. there is an area however that reveals what is in your heart. it clearly reveals what you believe about God. that one area?your relationships.

knowing God is a complete relational experience.we know Him through relationship and what Hedoes for us is completely relational: forgiveness, grace, mercy, love, redemption, and intimacy are all relational!

the Scriptures make it clear that the real evidence of this type of love invading our heart is when it spills over into the relationships we have with others. Here is one simple verse from the myriad thatexplain this same truth.

Beloved (relational term), let us love one another (relational term), for love (relational term) is from God, and whoever loves (relational term) has been born of God (relational term). 1 John 4:7

When you stop to evaluate your faith today ask yourself these questions about how you relate to the people God has put in your life:

• Am I quick to forgive when others offend?
• Do I know how to be patient and longsuffering?
• Do I find joy in sacrificing for others?
• Do I show favor and grace when someone may be deserving of anger and justice?
• Am I more concerned with being loved or with showing love?
• Am I able to love those who are challenging to love?
• Is the place my relationships are best within my home?
• Have I tried to reconcile with others I have been in conflict with?
• Do I show the same kind of love to others that God has shown to me?

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