Learning to Get Real With Others

In Ephesians 4:23-25 it says, “Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.” (NLT)

To change the defects in my life, I’ve got to have people in my life who tell me the truth. I’m not going to get well on my own. I’m going to need support. I’m going to need a small group.

Change requires honest community.

The things in my life I’m never going to be able to change on my own are typically the things that are the most difficult in my life. They’re also often the things I don’t want anybody else to know about.

I’m never going to get over those things until I share them with someone. I don’t have to tell everybody. I just need to find at least one person who will trust me and whom I trust—someone who will be confidential, love me unconditionally, not be judgmental, and pray for me. Revealing my feelings is the beginning of healing.

This does not mean a small group where I get together on a superficial level and everyone is “fine” or “doing great.” I have to get to the level of maturity in my small group where I can say, “I had a tough week. Life is really hard right now. Here’s what happened.”

Ephesians 4:25 says, “So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body” (NLT).

If I’m a believer, I’m also a belonger. I belong in God’s family, and every other believer belongs to me. I cannot become until I belong. I can’t become what God wants me to be until I belong in a group that’s going to have gut-level, honest community.

So put away falsehood. Talk to my neighbor. Tell my friend the truth, because we belong to each other.

If I’m serious about changing the deepest hang-ups and defects in my life, I’m going to have to face the fear of being honest. I’ve got to stop faking it. I’ve got to be real.

I can go through life one of two ways: pretending like I’ve got it all together or getting it all together. But I’ll never get it all together as long as I pretend I’ve got it all together.

In God’s family, we belong to each other. Let’s be honest with each other so we can help each other make the changes that bring health and healing. 

How to Be a ‘Show and Tell’ Christian

In Colossians 3:17 it says, “Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus.” (NLT

God has put specific people in my life for a reason. I am God’s representative to them! If I don’t tell them about God’s love and offer of salvation, then who will?

God put me in my unique circumstances to share the Good News (Gospel) with relatives, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. They need to hear that God has a purpose for them and wants them to be part of his family. But he’s not going to write it in the sky for them. He’s not going to send them an email. He’s already sent me. He wants me to learn to be more like him so I can show others what he’s like—forgiving, compassionate, patient, and faithful. 

The Bible is very clear about this: “Do all you can to live a peaceful life. Take care of your own business, and do your own work . . . If you do, then people who are not believers will respect you” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NCV).  

We need Christians who not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. Faithful Christians don’t just say what they believe. They try to live so that others see the hope and joy that come from knowing Jesus. They are “show and tell” Christians. They tell the Gospel with their mouths, and they show the Gospel with their lives.

“Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17 NLT).  

The most dangerous prayer you could pray is two words: “Use me.” Use me to show your love to people who don’t know that you love them. Use me to show your purpose to people who don’t know that you have a purpose for their lives.”  

That kind of prayer can change the world—but the change starts in our communities and with the people we know and love.  They won’t know unless we show them.

This means I need to bring honor to Christ in every aspect and activity of my daily life. As a Christ follower, I represent Christ at all times, whatever I do, and whatever I say. What impression do people have of Christ when they see or talk with me? What changes do I need to make in my life in order to honor Christ?

God has called me (and each of us) to be a minister. I do everything for two reasons: one to help others and the other to honor God. No matter what my job is, I am to work at helping others and honoring God. As long as my motivation is right, even menial tasks become important when I do them out of love for God.

I Was Made for a Mission

In John 17:18 it says, “In the same way that [the Father] gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world." (The Message)

I was made to make a unique contribution with my life. I was made for a mission to the world around me. God created me to have both a ministry in the church and a mission in the world.

Jesus says in John 17:18, “In the same way that [the Father] gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world” (The Message). One day, I’ll stand before God and he’ll ask me, “What did you do with what I gave you?” At that point, I’ll answer for how I used the gifts God gave me to complete the mission he has for me.

Paul says, “But I reckon my own life to be worth nothing to me; I only want to complete my mission and finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do, which is to declare the Good News about the grace of God” (Acts 20:24 GNT).

So what is the assignment God has given me?

God made me to share the Good News. Once I know who Jesus is and what he did to make me right with God, I need to share the message with others.

Jesus said in Acts 1:8: “You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world” (NCV).

Notice that Jesus doesn’t call me to be his salesperson or his defense attorney. I don’t have to sell Jesus to others or defend him.

Jesus tells me to be his witness. I’m simply telling others what happened to me. I am the authority on my life. So nobody can be a better witness of what God has done in my life than me.

Jesus wants me to go all over to share this message—to neighbors, to people who are like me, and to people who are not like me. Their future in eternity is at stake. Unfortunately, millions of people die every year and go into eternity without a relationship with Christ.

There is no more important mission for me to spend my life on than sharing the Good News about Jesus. And, there is no better time than now to be on that mission.

A key verse to take to heart is Acts 13:36: “David served God’s purposes in his own time” (GNB).

That should be my direction too so that I too can serve God’s purpose in my time. Nothing I can do is more important. 

I Grow as I Help Others Mature

In 2 Timothy 2:2 I read, “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (NIV).

If I want the special blessing of God in and on my life, I need to learn from other believers who are more mature than me, and I need to mentor believers who are younger than me.

Every Christian needs both a Paul and a Timothy. A “Paul” is somebody who’s been a Christian longer than me and is helping to train and encourage me. That person may only be a month older than me, but he or she knows a little bit more and can mentor me.

To have a “Timothy” means there is somebody in my life who hasn’t been a Christian as long as me, and I am helping build that person's faith. I am offering my Timothy encouragement and discipleship as he or she grows in the Lord.

So as I have a Paul and a Timothy in my life, I am also a Paul and a Timothy to someone else.

“The things you have heard me say in the presence of many entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2 NIV).

There are four generations in that verse. Paul says to Timothy that he helped mentor him, Timothy must find somebody to mentor, and then that person can find somebody else to mentor.

Mentoring is as easy as taking someone to breakfast once a month and asking, “How’s it going?” I just need to be a friend. Listen to, encourage, and pray for that person. I don’t have to be the perfect Christian to do this. I just have to be willing.

When I do, I will receive a blessing from God in my life that I cannot imagine. 

God Gives Me Abilities to Help Others

In Romans 7:4 I read, “Now you belong to him who was raised from death in order that we might be useful in the service of God." (GNT)

God created me to help others. Regardless of my job or career, I am called to full-time Christian service. A “non-serving Christian” is a contradiction in terms.

The Bible says, “He saved us and called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose” (2 Timothy 1:9 GNT).

Jesus came to earth with a mission. God has a mission for my life as well.

“You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you” (1 Peter 2:9 GW).

I may think that being called by God is something only missionaries, pastors, and other full-time church workers experience, but the Bible says every Christian is called to service.

God has given me unique talents and abilities to benefit others, and he’s gifted others with talents and abilities to benefit me. If I don’t share my talents with those around me, they’ll be cheated. If they don’t share their talents with me, I’ll miss out.

Everything in society says, “It’s all about me.” Yet nothing could be further from the truth! God is calling me to use my gifts to help others.

When I use my God-given abilities to help others, I am fulfilling my calling. The Bible says, “Now you belong to him who was raised from death in order that we might be useful in the service of God” (Romans 7:4 GNT).

Jesus glorified God by fulfilling his mission. God wants me to follow that example.

In summary, God created me to help others. I am called to full-time Christian service. He saved me and called me to be his own, not because of what I have done, but because of his own purpose. Jesus came to earth with a mission. God has a mission for my life as well. I was chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God. Every Christian is called to service. God has given me unique talents and abilities to benefit others. If I don’t share my talents with those around me, they’ll be cheated. Society says, “It’s all about me.” Yet nothing could be further from the truth! God is calling me to use my gifts to help others. Jesus glorified God by fulfilling his mission. God wants me to follow that example.

When I die in my old life and belong to Christ, a new life begins. An unbeliever's life is centered on his or her own personal gratification. Those who don't follow Christ have only their own self-determination as their source of power. By contrast, God is at the center of a Christian's life. God supplies the power for the Christian's daily living. Believers find that their whole way of looking at the world changes when they come to Christ.

 

Why Share the Hope of Jesus?

In Matthew 4:19 I read “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (NLT)

God has called me to be a witness for him in the world. He expects me to tell others about the hope I have in Jesus.

But many people are what I call “arctic river Christians.” They’re frozen at the mouth. They hold back or don’t say anything about Jesus. But Jesus says, “If you’re not fishing, then you’re not following me.”

The Bible says, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (Matthew 4:19 NLT)

Why does God want me to share my hope? Here are a few reasons.

Everybody needs Jesus. The Good News of Jesus is better than anything this world could offer. It’s better than the cure for cancer, AIDS, or any other sickness. When I point people to Jesus, I offer them eternal life. I show them how to have their past forgiven, a purpose for living, and a home in heaven. Everybody needs that!

Jesus commands it. Jesus’ Great Commission is clear: “Go and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19 NLT). But, if I’m like most people, I care more about what others think than what God thinks. I am more worried about my reputation than the salvation of others. But Jesus commands me to share my hope.

I love God and people. The Bible says, “Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that [he] died for all” (2 Corinthians 5:14 NIV). Love Jesus Christ with all my heart, and I love people.” Christ’s love compels me to tell others about the hope I have in him.

I will be rewarded in heaven. Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise” (NKJV). If I want to bear fruit and be wise? Bring people to Jesus. If I want to leave a legacy? Make sure the people I know will be with me in heaven one day.

Right now, think of one person in my life who doesn’t know Jesus yet. Pray, “God, I want the privilege of bringing this person into your family. I want them to be in heaven because of me. Please help me not hold back anymore.”

Now, go tell them about Jesus!

In summary, God has called me to be a witness for him in the world. He expects me to tell others about the hope I have in Jesus. Unfortunately I have been frozen at the mouth, holding back or not saying anything about Jesus. Jesus says, “If you’re not fishing, then you’re not following me.” Jesus tells me, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” God wants me to share my hope? Everybody needs Jesus. The Good News of Jesus is better than anything this world could offer. It’s better than the cure for cancer, AIDS, or any other sickness. When I point people to Jesus, I offer them eternal life and show them how to have their past forgiven. They obtain a purpose for living, and to have a home in heaven. Jesus commands it. “Go and make disciples”. But, like most, I care more about what others think than what God thinks. I am more worried about my reputation than the salvation of others. But Jesus commands me to share my hope. I love God and people. Christ’s love should compel me, because I’m convinced that [he] died for all” (2 Corinthians 5:14 NIV). Love Jesus Christ with all my heart, and I love people.” Christ’s love compels me to tell others about the hope I have in him. I will be rewarded in heaven. If I want to bear fruit and be wise? Bring people to Jesus. If I want to leave a legacy? Make sure the people I know will be with me in heaven. Think of one person in my life who doesn’t know Jesus yet and Pray, “God, I want the privilege of bringing this person into your family. Father help me not hold back.”

The men mentioned in this chapter already know Jesus. He had talked to Peter and Andrew previously and had been preaching in the area. When Jesus called them, they knew what kind of man he was and were willing to follow him. Jesus told Peter and Andrew to leave their fishing business and begin fishing "for people," helping others find God. Jesus was calling them away from their productive trade to be productive spiritually. We all need to fish for souls. If I practice Christ's teachings and share the Good News with others, I will be able to draw those around me to Christ like a fisherman who pulls fish into his boat with nets.