Word@Work 001 - Mark 1:1-3
Published: Mon, 11/12/07
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 1:1-3 "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way" (v2) (NIV)
God does not arrive unannounced. As Isaiah announced John the Baptist, and John announced Jesus - the task of God's people today is to prepare a rebellious world for the arrival of its King. John's working life was spent announcing the Son of God; and in doing that, he knew that Jesus had to increase and that he had to decrease.
So why do some 21st century Christians think that God wants them to be the centre of attention? Too easily, we announce Christian celebrities as if people are converted to Jesus by being attracted to them. We do all in our power to reassure a godless world that Christians are as 'normal' as they are, and we are lured into the delusion that a 'successful' Christian ought to be honoured by everybody.
The truth is: John the Baptist's life was unpretentious and ended ignominiously, as did the lives of most of the apostles. Why should we fare any better? The importance of John's life was not his comfort or popularity - but simply that he lived clean and announced the need for others to be clean before God arrived.
If we are honoured in the workplace, we should thank God. But we should not expect to be honoured: however we should expect to be noticed. If we witness faithfully, our colleagues will learn how much we honour Christ and they will be challenged to do the same.
In part, it is the challenge of a godly life that excites some people into seeking Him and others into more obvious rebellion. If they seek - don't interpret it as any personal credit. If they reject, they are not rejecting you, but Christ if they slander you because of your holy life. If they ask how to be saved, they will certainly expect us to be prepared with an answer.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to live the truth today so that my colleagues will want to hear Your Word and start to get ready to meet You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
God does not arrive unannounced. As Isaiah announced John the Baptist, and John announced Jesus - the task of God's people today is to prepare a rebellious world for the arrival of its King. John's working life was spent announcing the Son of God; and in doing that, he knew that Jesus had to increase and that he had to decrease.
So why do some 21st century Christians think that God wants them to be the centre of attention? Too easily, we announce Christian celebrities as if people are converted to Jesus by being attracted to them. We do all in our power to reassure a godless world that Christians are as 'normal' as they are, and we are lured into the delusion that a 'successful' Christian ought to be honoured by everybody.
The truth is: John the Baptist's life was unpretentious and ended ignominiously, as did the lives of most of the apostles. Why should we fare any better? The importance of John's life was not his comfort or popularity - but simply that he lived clean and announced the need for others to be clean before God arrived.
If we are honoured in the workplace, we should thank God. But we should not expect to be honoured: however we should expect to be noticed. If we witness faithfully, our colleagues will learn how much we honour Christ and they will be challenged to do the same.
In part, it is the challenge of a godly life that excites some people into seeking Him and others into more obvious rebellion. If they seek - don't interpret it as any personal credit. If they reject, they are not rejecting you, but Christ if they slander you because of your holy life. If they ask how to be saved, they will certainly expect us to be prepared with an answer.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to live the truth today so that my colleagues will want to hear Your Word and start to get ready to meet You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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