Gaining Respect
We've all done it. We've all caved in at one time or another to peer pressure. We made choices that did not reflect our claims to know, love, and follow Jesus Christ. Our desire to be accepted by others can often lead us to this point. But today, I want to show you a better way to earn the respect of the people around you.
And none of those who were not of their number dared to join and associate with them, but the people held them in high regard and praised and made much of them.
Acts 5:13 Amplified
The Apostles faced a huge struggle after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While they shared the Good News of Jesus in the synagogues they met a lot of resistance. The church leaders had begun to threaten them. They were beaten and thrown in jail for telling about Jesus - but that did not stop them. The Apostles continued to obey God no matter what. The people listened to what they had to say and only those who chose to believe in Jesus would have anything to do with them.
Although the non-believers did not associate with the early Christians, they did have a lot of respect for them. This verse says the people made much of them meaning, they spoke highly of them. The Apostles were well thought of because they lived for God in both word and deed and they refused to give in to the ideas of men that were opposite to God's way of living.
For many years I was fearful of what people thought about me and what they would say about me. Many times I would behave like them to gain their acceptance. Then at the end of the day when I looked back on those situations I would feel guilt and shame and regret for not doing the right thing.
It is not easy at first to do the right thing when we are with people who don't care about it. We tend to feel awkward and left out of things if we don't go along but our obedience to God has a far greater reward.
Doing the right thing does more than keep us on the right path - it produces favor with God and man. Every time we choose to obey God instead of conform to this world, we are demonstrating His goodness. We prove we can be trusted because we don't back down under pressure. This stability results in a good reputation and respect. We become trustworthy to those around us when we live committed to what we say we believe.
Our obedience to God brings us favor with man.
Today's verse is a great encouragement for those who struggle with this issue. When we do the right thing and live by God's Word, people will have more respect for us than if we given in to being like them. They may not hang out with us because our lifestyle convicts them but they cannot help but praise us because we have given them nothing to gripe about.
People respect you more when you live what you say you believe.
Heidirn
And none of those who were not of their number dared to join and associate with them, but the people held them in high regard and praised and made much of them.
Acts 5:13 Amplified
The Apostles faced a huge struggle after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While they shared the Good News of Jesus in the synagogues they met a lot of resistance. The church leaders had begun to threaten them. They were beaten and thrown in jail for telling about Jesus - but that did not stop them. The Apostles continued to obey God no matter what. The people listened to what they had to say and only those who chose to believe in Jesus would have anything to do with them.
Although the non-believers did not associate with the early Christians, they did have a lot of respect for them. This verse says the people made much of them meaning, they spoke highly of them. The Apostles were well thought of because they lived for God in both word and deed and they refused to give in to the ideas of men that were opposite to God's way of living.
For many years I was fearful of what people thought about me and what they would say about me. Many times I would behave like them to gain their acceptance. Then at the end of the day when I looked back on those situations I would feel guilt and shame and regret for not doing the right thing.
It is not easy at first to do the right thing when we are with people who don't care about it. We tend to feel awkward and left out of things if we don't go along but our obedience to God has a far greater reward.
Doing the right thing does more than keep us on the right path - it produces favor with God and man. Every time we choose to obey God instead of conform to this world, we are demonstrating His goodness. We prove we can be trusted because we don't back down under pressure. This stability results in a good reputation and respect. We become trustworthy to those around us when we live committed to what we say we believe.
Our obedience to God brings us favor with man.
Today's verse is a great encouragement for those who struggle with this issue. When we do the right thing and live by God's Word, people will have more respect for us than if we given in to being like them. They may not hang out with us because our lifestyle convicts them but they cannot help but praise us because we have given them nothing to gripe about.
People respect you more when you live what you say you believe.
Heidirn
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