The Golden Rule for the Global Good

Day 24, GLOBAL

“I am wired by nature to love the same toys that the world loves. I start to fit in. I start to love what others love. I start to call earth “home.” Before you know it, I am calling luxuries “needs” and using my money just the way unbelievers do. I begin to forget the war. I don’t think much about people perishing. Missions and unreached people drop out of my mind. I stop dreaming about the triumphs of grace. I sink into a secular mind-set that looks first to what man can do, not what God can do. It is a terrible sickness. And I thank God for those who have forced me again and again toward a wartime mind-set.”
― John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life

Remember the war

…and that someone cared to share the truth with you whether it was in a Sunday school classroom or in a backyard lawn chair. Consider how that courageous act changed your life and paved your way to the Savior. Think about how the love of Christ tapped you on the shoulder one day and invited Himself in. There are millions dying without the hope we have in Jesus and if everyone keeps the truth to themselves, how will their fates change?

Our prayers matter. Our spiritual growth matters. But doing unto others by proclaiming the name of Jesus in word and deed is the most honorable act of love. The reason we focus on the worldly pleasures and forget the war is because it’s so. stinking. hard. I know this. I am heartbroken over my propensity to stick my head in the sand of my comfortable world and ignore the needs all around me because it’s just easier that way.

But the best I can live the Golden Rule unto others is by introducing them to Jesus, encouraging and reminding them of the steadfast love that completely wrecked my life in the best way possible. I share with them the Word written for them and the Savior who sacrificed His life for theirs. I trust God to do the work but must be faithful to give Him the room.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee (Titus 2:11-15).

Remind your fellow soldiers…

Keep encouraged and accountable with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Be quick to praise when the focus is right, and push together towards right perspectives when they’re not. Rejoice over the right things. Weep over the wrong. Remember what Christ died for, and pursue its treasure together.

Consider the power of a global witness, of a band of brothers and sisters insistent on the name of Jesus being lifted high. Our light may be small and our influence limited, but we trust in the power of Christ to make it shine into places we never dreamed it it would reach.

Ask what you can do in your local church to make the gospel known in your hometown. Link arms with fellow light-bearers around the world. Consider your place in God’s global work. Do good unto others, as you would have them do unto you, for the sake of the gospel. Make the message known that was once made known to you.

Do good works, let your light shine. Teach and train and enlist for the war (this includes you, moms!). Do all this not to be honored but that God may be glorified. That our witness will be fortified and our gospel reach globalized.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:13-16).

 

Do you have a war-time mindset?
How can you band together with fellow light-bearers to make His name known?

Talk to me in the comment section!