Christianity is not for doubters!

You see, a follower of what is right and true must not equivocate. In the life of Jesus Christ, we do find struggles, but it was always a matter of overcoming and not giving in to sin. In His case, it was an issue of obeying and saying what was right and refusing to disobey.

For those around Him, this authoritative confidence of approach was shocking. When He taught in their synagogue on the Sabbath, we find this record of His impact: “And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22).

On another occasion, officers were sent to arrest Jesus: “Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, ‘Why have you not brought Him?’ The officers answered, ‘No man ever spoke like this Man!’ ” (John 7:45-46).

For those in whom Jesus Christ is living today, the same must be true! Indeed, some will take exception to one who boldly lives by and says, what is true. If fact, some will be offended, and–as prophecy shows–some will persecute and even kill those who resolutely stand in the truth.

We live in a time of blended opinions. Christianity now suffers because its purported advocates really don’t stand up for the right and true way. Rather, accomodations have led to a watering down of the potent message of true Christianity!

James describes those who approach God without faith, that is, doubting, in this way: “…for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6). In verse 8, this thought is added: “he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

Merely thinking that we are right and true is not enough. It takes more than just a positive approach. Consider that the very basis for how Jesus was able to fulfill His mission on this earth was His total reliance on God (Compare John 5:19).

James also made this key statement for us: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). Like Jesus, our source for what is right and true must be God.

Because what Jesus did was done in God, He was filled with the confidence of faith–He was sure about His teachings; about the work God had given to Him to accomplish; about the purpose of His life; and about His resurrection to eternal life; in fact, He was so sure that He was willing to lay down His life!

How sure are we?

Example is a powerful witness. It is something we deeply admire when the example is a good one.

In each of our lives, we have all noted a specially loved individual who has helped to shape who we are. For instance, those examples may be a favorite teacher, a family member with whom we felt a close bond or someone in the greater society whom we never personally knew, but we were motivated by their accomplishments or some other aspect of the way in which they lived their lives.

That being said, we have also known a greater number of people with whom we were acquainted, but these individuals are the ones who turned out to be, as the saying goes, “ships passing in the night.” Their influence was not counted as lasting or productive.

It is an interesting exercise to think about the most influential people in our lives.

Now, let’s consider the reverse–what has our example been like to others? How have we influenced others?

It is certainly an area in which Christians are accountable–in fact, it has very much to do with the second of the great commandments upon which “‘…hang all the Law and Prophets'” (Matthew 22:40). In verse 39, Jesus stated: “‘…You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'”

Certainly, setting a right example in how we live as Christians in this world is one way in which we can fulfill what Jesus taught. Jesus also identified a proclivity of human nature in this regard. He spoke of the scribes and Pharisees in this way: “‘…for they SAY and do not DO'” (Matthew 23:3).

Jesus said of His followers: “‘You are the light of the world'” (Matthew 5:14). He also instructed those who would be His disciples to “bear much fruit” (Compare John 15:8). Paul spoke of the fruit of the Spirit and identified those qualities which are an outgrowth of godly character: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” (Galatians 5:22-23).

While it is very easy to want to tell others how to do it better or to somehow fix their problems, perhaps we should consider the fact that our primary role is to first be examples of what is right and true. Note how Peter explains the correct approach: “…and always be ready to give a defense [or, “answer”] to everyone who ASKS you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). The thought here is that others are drawn to ask because of what they first see in our lives–NOT what they first hear!

In this same chapter, Peter addresses the issue of husbands who are not Christians: “Wives, likewise be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, WITHOUT A WORD, may be won BY THE CONDUCT of their wives, when they OBSERVE YOUR CHASTE CONDUCT accompanied by fear” (1 Peter 3:1-2).

Example is indeed a powerful tool for all Christians! More than all that we might say, how we live–the example we set–will show whether we truly honor and serve God and whether or not we really do love our neighbor!

“I wish I had said that,” might be our reaction, or it might be our thinking that we’re glad we said nothing at all! The words we use–even in private thoughts–can be our undoing, or they can bring both others and ourselves great joy.

James teaches us about our choice of words: “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:8-10).

The words we choose to speak are just that–our choice. In Proverbs 12:18, we find this comment: “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.” Proverbs elaborates on the first part of verse 18 with this statement: “An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends” (Proverbs 16:27-28). Then, complementing the last part of verse 18, Proverbs 15:23 states: “A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!”

Consider, also, these two quotes from the Book of Proverbs: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11); and, “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

King David came to deeply understand that God knew everything about him. He makes this profound acknowledgement before God: “For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, you know it altogether” (Psalm 139:4). That is true for all of us, but it is especially important for those of us who now live our lives as Christians!

James leaves us this further caution–a question we should always have in mind before we speak: “Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening” (James 3:11)?

Words and how we use them hold great importance. Words matter to God and they matter to our families, friends and even strangers, and they certainly better matter to each one of us–words are, after all, our choice!