Openly Christian - Openly Witnessing

"Today's Devotion" For May 4, 2006

Read: II Corinthians 4:1-6; Psalm 36:5-11

OPENLY CHRISTIAN - OPENLY WITNESSING

"...we do not use deception, nor do we distort the Word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." (II Corinthians 4:2)

There's an old movie starring Joanne Woodward by the name of "The Three Faces of Eve." Filmed in 1957, it's a story about a mousy, unassuming housewife and mother who suffers from headaches and experiences blackouts. Finding no medical solution to her distress she is finally sent to a psychiatrist who puts her under hypnosis and discovers that she suffers from a split personality disorder. It's revealed that she has three very distinctive personalities: Eve, the dutiful housewife, Eve, the racy, wild, and fun loving free spirit, and, Jane, the relatively stable personality. Based on a true life story, this film chronicles the efforts of the psychiatrist to reconcile the three personalities that make up Eve.

While it's most probable that none of us has "split personality disorder," it's also true that, as sinners and saints at the same time, we are susceptible to "splitting our personalities" between living in God's forgiveness and living under the domination of Sin. How often don't we confuse people as to whom and whose we are by our behavior - words, actions, deeds? Part of our dilemma in living as God's people is that we live in a world where transparency is seen as a sign of weakness, and others will try to exploit such transparency as a weakness. There's an old axiom that "finding an honest politician is an oxymoron." One of the first victims of the condition of Sin and our desire to be accepted by others is to put on a face that is acceptable to the world - at the expense of our relationship with God.

St. Paul understood that dilemma. That's why he was so vigorous in asserting his faithfulness as a witness to the Gospel, reminding his readers that they were the people of God and were called out of the world to be witnesses for Christ. By God's grace, we, too are given the marvelous task of being witnesses to God's love and forgiveness for the world in Jesus Christ. It's not a popular message, especially because one must first acknowledge their sins and then repent of them. Who wants to admit they're wrong? Who wants to believe that they can't do anything to save themselves? It's contrary to human nature, and so there is a constant battle between our "multiple personalities" - the sinner in need of forgiveness and the forgiven sinner who stands before God perfect and holy, without sin, because of Jesus (traditionally we speak about the Old Adam and the New Adam - the Old Man and the New Man - sinner and saint at the same time).

By God's grace and mercy in Jesus Christ, we no longer have to be subject to the vagaries of Sin in our lives. We no longer have to be controlled by Sin and have our "personalities split" between serving Sin and serving the Lord. Our sins are forgiven and we are recreated in Christ Jesus so that we can be His true and faithful witnesses for all the world to see. Christ's love dwells in us so powerfully and completely that we are led to be openly Christian in our lives, our words, our behavior, and our endeavors so that all that we do is an open witness to God's love and forgiveness for the world in Jesus. It's a wonderful gift of God to be able to stand up for Jesus and share His love with others - openly and without guile. In Christ we are a people fearlessly sharing His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness so that others also might come to Him, know Him, and stand up for Him as well.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your great goodness to me in sending Jesus to be my Savior and Lord. You have given me the Good News of salvation in Christ, have poured it out into my heart and life, and have called me to share it with others as You work through me to touch others with Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ Jesus. Give me the strength of faith and the courage of faith in Jesus to be openly a Christian and a living example of one of Your dear children, even in the face of intense opposition and even hatred for any who bear Jesus' name. Fill me with the power of Your Word and Spirit that I might be faithful and bold in my witness, certain of my salvation in Jesus and, thus, fearless in my declaration of Your Good News, even in the face of death. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, for the sake of Jesus. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.