Joshua 2:1-13, Colossians 1:27; Luke 18:1-3
Introduction
The power to have an effect on people or things can be described as influence especially when there is no physical force. Jesus Christ is one individual who as a human on earth, His life always has a tremendous influence on anyone who comes to Him. Influence is like an appointment or your to-do list. It is what directs your way of life.
Who or what influences your lifestyle? It is easy for you to quickly answer Jesus Christ because that is the right answer to this question. Assuming that Christ is your number one influence, there are still rooms for others to influence you.
We are being influenced by those around us, and what we read, listen to, and see on social media, television, radio, and movies. We are influenced by our family members, friends, and church.
As Christians, we must be directed by the truth as we come to understand all that has influenced our lifestyle and react appropriately. The acceptable reaction can only be attained when Christ is set as the filter of every influence.
SET FOR HIS GLORY
The scripture tells us, "Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31). Our doings are born out of the influence we receive, therefore, to be set to display God's glory in our daily lives, we need to be influenced by Christ Jesus.
2 Peter 1:3 tells us that God's power grants "to us all things that pertain to life and godliness". Christ is holy in life and for us to be influenced by godly holy living, we need His power. It is the power of God that emboldens us to give glory to God in the midst of this ungodly society.
Rahab is described as a prostitute in the land of Jericho. Her environment may have contributed to what she was. Meanwhile, with the influence of the power of God demonstrated in the life of the Israelites, she says, "I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you... Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father's house." Joshua 2:9,12 (ESV). For the influence she has had, she set her father's household for God's glory.
what are you doing to set your family for God's glory?
As a young man, Isaiah said, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” Isaiah 6:5 (ESV) When we come to "the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence," 2 Peter 1:3 (ESV) our true state of being is revealed to us and we run to God for His redeeming grace.
Our knowledge of God's power is a powerful resource for our influence into His glory and excellence. Where you come from doesn't matter, what you have done does not count anymore, if you will avail yourself for Christ today you will be set for His glory.
Again, take note of another truth in the influence of the power of God. Our way of life is transformed completely. This transformed lifestyle also becomes an influence among our contemporaries. With persistent faith, we are glorified by God.
Jesus gave this parable of a city where "there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’" Luke 18:3 (ESV) We live in a society where the fear of God is nothing to the people. Evil has filled the hearts and minds of the people, corruption, whom you know and how much you have determines your justice delivery. The woman influenced the judge because of her persistence. The judge says, "Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming." Luke 18:4-5 (ESV)
With God's power, we never give up on lost souls until we successfully bring them into the saving arms of God Almighty.
In addition, as we are empowered by God, we hold firmly to His promises. "He has granted to us his precious and very great promises." 2 Peter 1:4 (ESV) Our eyes are set on God's promises to keep us in His glory.
Christ is our influence. The Hebrew writer puts it, "looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame" Hebrews 12:2 (ESV). We are energized by the precious and great promises of God for our lives to walk into His set glory. If Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, it is because He focused on the set joy ahead of Him, we must hold firmly to His precious promises.
Back in the days of my childhood, elderly people would entice us into good behaviour with promises. For instance, Mom will say, 'go and bathe, and I will give you a cake.' One thing that God transforms in our lives is character. We are shaped by Christ's influence on us as we model His very own character in order to behold all His great and precious promises. The promise I personally hold firmly is "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." John 14:2-3 (ESV)
When we allow Christ to influence us, we are rescued from the penalty of sin and our moral behaviour is totally transformed. Until then that Heaven is set for us.
Paul says, "To them [you and me] God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27 (ESV) The mystery of our influence by Christ actually sets us for His divine glory.
Conclusion
Christ in us is the influence of transformation that sets us up for God's glory. Let us hold to the resources God makes available to us and diligently pursue our Christian qualities. God will set us for His glory by fulfilling all His promises. Amen!
Shalom aleichem...
