Words of Jesus Christ in "Red"  "We are called to be thermostats, not thermometers - affecting our environment, not reflecting it." - Charles R. Hembree
According to the Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, the word Influence means - the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways; to have an effect on. Many writers have commented on the topic of Influence. Here are a few examples:
The Lord Jesus Christ depicted our influence or the power that we have as an effect on others by referring to us as:
Just as salt preserves food from putrefaction, even so are we called by God to preserve the world from putrefaction and destruction. We are to keep the world from entire moral corruption by our preaching the Word of God, our prayers, and by our godly example and influence. As "lights," we show by our Godly Example what God requires of all men. As a "city that is set on a hill," our influence on others was always intended to to be something that is conspicuous rather than hidden. What is more noticeable than "a city that is set on a hill"? That is how direct our lives are to be - easily seen and read by all so that all will be greatly influenced by our Godly Example. In Philippians Paul describes us as living this way:
The word "crooked" speaks of those who seek every occasion to retard the cause of truth and righteousness. It speaks of those who are of perverted sentiments and habits. It includes those who are disposed to complain and find fault; those who pervert what the righteous say and do. It depicts a people who are wicked, unfair, warped, and surly. "Perverse" describes those turn aside from the right path. It describes those who are corrupt, distorted, perverted, and in opposition to the truth. It is right in the midst of these kind of people who God requires us to be an "example" of godliness and righteousness. The Apostle Paul was a very "influential" man. In Philippians 3:17 he said - "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example." Not only was his life marked as an example for others to follow or imitate, but he discipled Timothy to do the same.
That word "example" in both of the above Scriptures speaks of a mark from a stroke or a blow, an imprint, a model, a pattern, an ideal, and a standard. Again in Philippians 3:17 - Paul encouraged all believers to "mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example." In other words, we are to direct our attention to all those who are influencing others for good by their "Godly Example". These are the ones who are "walking worthy" of the Lord. They are walking suitably to the standards of the Bible. They are walking worthily and after a godly sort. Because of this, they are made a pattern for others to follow.
We must observe those who are following Christ with a desire to do the same. How can we know a Godly Example when we see one? What is required for us to be "influential" in others' lives? Philippians 2:15 offers us 4 basic guidelines to follow:
What does it mean to be "blameless"? Is it possible for someone to be so? The Word "blameless" means to be free from fault or defect. It means that we should give no occasion for others to accuse us of having done wrong. It means to be irreproachable and deserving no censure. Yes, we are required by the Word of God to be blameless in this "crooked and perverse nation" that we live in. Then and only then can we be "influential" on others.
Paul in his letter to Timothy gives us some qualities to emulate. Just as the Apostle Paul admonished Timothy to be an example of the believers, even so are we to do the same. Our influence on others must be marked by these same qualities:
Study and meditate on the Word of God. Rightly divide it. Preach and teach nothing but the Truth - the whole counsel of God.
Let your love for your fellow man be genuine and without dissimulation.
Work no evil toward your neighbor.
Render not evil for evil.
In closing, we need to ask ourselves some very important questions to determine if we are being the Godly Influence on others that the Scriptures require us to be. Are we caught up with the frivolity of life not caring how our life affects others? Then our lives are likened to a tumbleweed - having no value or useful purpose. Or are we investing our lives in things of genuine worth? Does our "influence" for good live on in the lives of others? Are we bettering our community and nation by our "Godly Example"? When we die, will we be missed by others besides our immediate family? Are we casting an indelible shadow of "influence" for good on others by our "example"? Or are we leaving a permanent mark for evil in the lives of our spouse, our children, our grandchildren, our families, our coworkers, our neighbors, etc.? Will our lives leave a lasting effect on others for good, or are they being diluted by various inconsistencies that others can see? "Are we thermostats or thermometers? Are we affecting our environment or reflecting it?" Are we lighthouses in our communities? Do we simply make a lot of noise and blow horns and whistles to get people's attention, or do we shine so brightly, offering Light and a way out to those who are in Darkness? Are we preserving our families, our churches, our communities, and our nation from evil and destruction by our Godly Example? Is our Godly Lifestyle as noticeable to others as a "city that is set on a hill"? Are we walking worthy of the Lord? Can others mark us as an example to imitate or follow? What kind of lasting impression are we leaving on the lives of our family and friends? Are we a model or pattern for others to copy? Do we set the standard of righteousness for those around us? Can others say of us that we are the ideal Christian by our "Godly Example"? Are we preaching and teaching the whole counsel of God? Are we teaching nothing but the Truth no matter what the cost? Are we behaving ourselves well before others? Do we truly and sacrificially love others? Are we walking in the Spirit and not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh? Are our minds set on the things of the Spirit? Do we have a mild, meek, and forgiving disposition? Are we faithful to God and men? Do we keep our commitments? Do we always and evermore maintain an unshaken confidence in God? Are we pure and chaste in thought, word, and deed? Are we especially careful how we conduct ourselves in the presence of the opposite sex? Right in the midst of a "crooked and perverse nation" God is calling his people to "shine as lights." He requires that we set a standard for the unbeliever as to what a real Christian is to look like and how he is to act. God is looking for a people who will dare to be "Godly Examples" in this day and hour - a people who are bold enough to set the standard of holiness and righteousness according to the Scriptures in the face of all opposers of Truth. Will we answer that call?
Will we be that people who will make a difference in our world?
Each one of us must make that choice.
What will it be for you? 
 Send E-mail to Russ: webslave for Christ ( russ@jesuswept.com ) with questions or comments about this web site and it's content. Last modified: Thursday, December 05, 2002 |
