Winning the Respect of Others

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 (NIV)  ⁹Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. ¹⁰And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, ¹¹and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, ¹²so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

In Paul’s first letter to the church of the Thessalonians, he admonishes all the believers to lead a life that will win the respect of outsiders—those outside of the faith and body of Christ.  As a Christian, this is also our goal.  The hard truth is that our daily life is sometimes the only picture of Christ that others see. We are, in fact, living billboards.

Ezra 7:6, 10 (NIV)  ⁶this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him. ... ¹⁰for Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

Our second passage of Scripture for today provides the example of Ezra.  He was a descendent of Aaron the chief priest (c.f., vs. 1-5).  Yet he drew the attention of King Artaxerxes through his daily life example of studying, observing, and teaching the Law of the LORD. Ezra understood the key to having a properly organized daily life.   First, he studied the Scriptures. Then he applied the Scriptures to his daily life.  Finally, he taught others what he learned and lived. The result can be seen in how others noticed and respected him.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Guide us as we study your Word.  Help us to apply what we learn to our daily life. Finally, give us courage to share your Word with others. Teach us how to live our lives as an example for others to follow.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Winning the Respect of Others was originally written for Sunday, July 22, 2018; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.