Since we celebrated
American Independence yesterday, it seemed good to write something on
freedom. Freedom that is found in Christ, of course. And I don't like
being too abstract or philosophical, so I'm going to try to expound on
something in tangible detail. How to be free while others are watching.
It doesn't take too much observation to realize that everyone is trying to be cool. I mean that everyone is trying to be accepted by their peers. Because of that, most people are highly conscience of how others perceive them. And most people care very much how others think of them. Generally speaking, we go to great lengths to impress people.
Now imagine what this means in practice. By caring so much what others think, we allow our actions to be dictated by other people. I have power over the self-conscience. I can cause someone to change their behavior, or especially change their style, by simply making a critical statement. I can influence someone's choice in vehicle by saying something as simple as "trucks are more manly than cars." You get the idea. People allow themselves to be influenced, because they care what other people think of them. You know what I'm talking about: Some people work their butts off to afford that thing (whatever it is) that they think will impress other people. If someone's response to the big house or the fine car is "eh," it takes all the wind out of that person's sails.
Caring about how our peers perceive us seems to be a natural thing. Most people do it. Some might even think that all people do it, and its only a matter of the extent to which they do it. But its not true. There are some that are completely free of peer opinion. What is their secret? I will tell you.
So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future - all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. 1Corinthians 3:21-23
Paul wrote this to Christians. Not atheists or agnostics or pagans or Muslims or humanists, but only to Christians. And Christians really do believe the words of Paul. So if all things belong to a Christian, what's the point in caring about peer opinion? As Paul said, let no one boast in men; so don't concern yourself about when or if someone boasts in you. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
Once you understand this fundamental truth, you know the truth. What's the point of knowing the truth?
If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. -Jesus in John 8:31-32
Here's the benefit of being a Christian. A Christian knows the truth. A Christian knows that everything under the sun is meaningless, and that all things belong to him anyway. A Christian knows that there is zero reason to try to impress anyone, regardless of who they are. And in a very real way, a Christian is free. A Christian is free from following the stupid fads, free from working all day long to afford the big house, and free from trying to act in a way that he thinks others will approve of. A Christian is free, because a Christian knows the truth.
The exception: A Christian will concern himself with how he represents Christ. He does not do this for his own sake, but for the sake of Christ and His kingdom, so that people perceive Christianity in a positive way.
It doesn't take too much observation to realize that everyone is trying to be cool. I mean that everyone is trying to be accepted by their peers. Because of that, most people are highly conscience of how others perceive them. And most people care very much how others think of them. Generally speaking, we go to great lengths to impress people.
Now imagine what this means in practice. By caring so much what others think, we allow our actions to be dictated by other people. I have power over the self-conscience. I can cause someone to change their behavior, or especially change their style, by simply making a critical statement. I can influence someone's choice in vehicle by saying something as simple as "trucks are more manly than cars." You get the idea. People allow themselves to be influenced, because they care what other people think of them. You know what I'm talking about: Some people work their butts off to afford that thing (whatever it is) that they think will impress other people. If someone's response to the big house or the fine car is "eh," it takes all the wind out of that person's sails.
Caring about how our peers perceive us seems to be a natural thing. Most people do it. Some might even think that all people do it, and its only a matter of the extent to which they do it. But its not true. There are some that are completely free of peer opinion. What is their secret? I will tell you.
So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future - all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. 1Corinthians 3:21-23
Paul wrote this to Christians. Not atheists or agnostics or pagans or Muslims or humanists, but only to Christians. And Christians really do believe the words of Paul. So if all things belong to a Christian, what's the point in caring about peer opinion? As Paul said, let no one boast in men; so don't concern yourself about when or if someone boasts in you. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
Once you understand this fundamental truth, you know the truth. What's the point of knowing the truth?
If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. -Jesus in John 8:31-32
Here's the benefit of being a Christian. A Christian knows the truth. A Christian knows that everything under the sun is meaningless, and that all things belong to him anyway. A Christian knows that there is zero reason to try to impress anyone, regardless of who they are. And in a very real way, a Christian is free. A Christian is free from following the stupid fads, free from working all day long to afford the big house, and free from trying to act in a way that he thinks others will approve of. A Christian is free, because a Christian knows the truth.
The exception: A Christian will concern himself with how he represents Christ. He does not do this for his own sake, but for the sake of Christ and His kingdom, so that people perceive Christianity in a positive way.
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