Trying too hard - Hope 103.2

Trying too hard

By David ReayWednesday 7 Jan 2015LifeWords DevotionalsFaithReading Time: 0 minutes

Transcript:

Read 1 Peter 3:1-2

1-2 In the same spirit you married women should adapt yourselves to your husbands,so that even if they do not obey the Word of God they may be won to God without any word being spoken,simply by seeing the pure and reverent behaviour of you,their wives. (JBP)

Let’s not confine this text to marriage. It contains a sound principle to shape what we might call our Christian witness. It reminds us that while words might matter,the quality of our lives matters more. Jesus says something similar when he bids us to let our light shine so others see our good works.

Our world is full of beady-eyed individuals who are all too eager to sell us something. They batter us with words about how they have found the secret and how we should find the same secret the same way. It could be about the food we eat: try this diet and it will change your life. Or child rearing: only homeschooling will do. Or health care: this ‘natural’ medication will fix your illness.

Of course,in each case they may have a point. But the eagerness with which such causes are pursued can turn us off. We don’t like being pressured or being told we must do this or think that.

Which brings us back to our witness. If our words resemble religious marketing they will turn people off. Our passion for the gospel might come across as aggressive salesmanship. Better to focus first on our lives and then fit gracious and sensitive words into that context. We are,after all,ambassadors for Christ rather than fanatics for religion.

Blessings
David Reay