Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27 (NIV)
At the plant where I work, forklift drivers are required to wear seat belts at all times. This is because even a minor collision can be fatal. Still, safety rules can be frustrating when you are in a hurry. I was working alone one evening, tired and eager to finish my tasks. Knowing the safety coordinator had already gone home, I was tempted to ignore the seat-belt policy. Who would know? But I obeyed anyway — not because I feared getting in trouble, but because it was for my own good. Paul feared that his friends at Philippi might live differently if no one held them accountable. He acknowledged how they had obeyed him while he was with them and then explained that it was even more important that they remain obedient in his absence. I can relate to that. It is easier for me to be Christlike when I know others are watching me. But when I am alone or around strangers, I am often tempted to compromise my values and revert to bad habits. Just like the seat-belt policy at work, God’s rules about how we should act are for our own good. When we are tempted to compromise, we can remember that each act of obedience draws us one step closer to Jesus — and he is always paying attention to us.
Thought for the Day: Being a follower of Jesus is a full-time job.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to show us the way to live. Strengthen us when we are tempted to compromise our integrity. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
The Author: Johnathan Kana (Texas, USA)