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'Christ in You...'
by Dale Krebbs
"Oh for the gift to geus, to see ourselves as others see us!"
If we could just see ourselves as others do, we could be more able to see and influence them for their good and for ours in leading them to believe in Jesus Christ. If we are honest and unpretentious, they are inclined to be the same, confirming the righteous influence that our honesty has on them. It is a near impossibility for us to see ourselves as others see us.
Most people respond to two things when they encounter someone who claims to be a Christian: what they see (usually first), and what they hear. Together, these two influence how they respond, whether with interest, or unbelief.
What we are to others will scream louder than anything we could say. This is the reason the unbelieving are so difficult to convince by our words. They are looking and hearing who and what we are, not what we say until they know who we are.
Whether some will respond to hearing the gospel preached to them depends on first of all, whether the Holy Spirit is administering the call to belief in Jesus Christ. Some have spoken, pleaded, and prayed for years for someone to believe in Jesus Christ with no visible evidence of belief and repentance.
However, at times, there may not be a visible or even an audible indication of belief. They may be struggling with the Holy Spirit, resisting His influence on their heart. At times, our faults and weaknesses are stumbling blocks. Often, if someone can see a change in us, their hearts begin to wonder if perhaps this thing called "salvation", and belief in Jesus is true after all.
A genuine attitude and disposition of humility is rare today. It is not an exaggeration to say it is difficult to find. Genuine "from the heart" humility can be counterfeited, and sometimes used to persuade or influence someone to do what they want them to do, whether it is to believe in Jesus, or exalting of ourselves.
Unless we are living what we are preaching, there may be agreement with what we say. But genuine repentance (i.e.,turning from sin and unbelief) can seem genuine, but may an effort to relieve the pressure of the moment. The result of your witnessing may end with their thoughts about your efforts becoming another proverb - "Physician heal yourself".
Let us strive to set a visible example of humility, holiness, and love toward those who do not yet believe in Jesus Christ as their savior and giver of eternal live. May we strive to witness by our example - of speaking, living, and faithfulness.
If you want to influence others for Christ, they must see in you how Christ wants them to live, and allow the Holy Spirit to convict them and thereby convince them to believe unto their salvation.
Then pray...for them... and for yourself.
"My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you. Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil." - Proverbs 4:20-27
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