Are You a Disciple?

How do people respond when they find out that you are a Christian? They shouldn’t be surprised, if your life models Jesus’ loving, patient, sacrificial example. Jesus said, "your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples" (John 13:35). The Bible instructs us to "live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people" (Philippians 2:15). We are to stand out because of God's goodness.

Love One Another

The Bible says that God loves us sacrificially, and that "since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other" (1 John 4:11). Christians are to "be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32).

God's instructions for dealing with others can be "summed up in this one commandment: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to others" (Romans 13:9-10). Christians have every reason to show love to their brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s easy to be nice when things are going well and people are nice to you. But you are even more a witness of God’s love and mercy when you show kindness to people who are mean or weird or hard to get along with.

Witness

God has given His people the power to tell people about Him everywhere, to the ends of the earth, through the Holy Spirit. You are a witness to God's truth. Your words might be the ones that encourage someone to accept God's life-saving grace. Always be ready to share those words -- and live a godly life to testify to them.

Prayer, Care, and Share

“You are the light of the world!”
Matthew 5:14-16

"I am the light of the world - whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life" (John 8:12). It is astounding that Jesus calls himself the light of the world and, in Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus also declares that we are the light of the world! He encourages us to let our light - our good deeds - shine before others so that they may glorify our Father in heaven.

God wants you to be like a city on a hill (Matthew 5:14) where you, as a disciple, will live such a light giving life. Imagine getting up each morning with the burning desire (in all humility before God) to be a blessing to all whom you will meet that day!

So what are some ways you can be a light to the world? Start your day full of praise for our King. Ask the Lord for the grace to be a blessing everywhere you go and pray for the salvation of people who don’t know Him as their Savior.

On your way to work, pray for the people God puts in your path, asking God to focus your attention toward people that are on His heart.

If someone treats you badly or unfairly, recognize the anger in your heart, forgive the person, and pray that the Lord will bless them. You will immediately sense God's peace.

At work, you can pray for your project for the morning and start with joy, knowing you are doing it for the Lord. Thank a co-worker for a great job done. Take a refreshing drink to a new co-worker.

If your manager asks for a volunteer to assist at another branch, you can volunteer while silently asking the Lord's blessing on the manager. And so on ...