By Larry Bryant

 

larryBryant  As Christians we hold a large responsibility in our living and witnessing to others.  John 3:16 gives us the road map as to why we should live and witness for God: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son” ESV.  If God LOVED the world, then who are we to not challenge ourselves in the way we live, or that we would pass judgment as to who we witness to and who we don’t?

The intent of this article is to challenge us as Christians to use the following acrostic in challenging us in what we think about living for Christ, and about what we think about witnessing to others.

L-earn

O-bserve

V-oice

E-ducate

D-eclare

To help us challenge ourselves as we live for Christ, and to help us help those around us find Christ – each letter of this acrostic both teaches and challenges.

As we look at what we hold dear or as right and wrong, or when we witness to others, we need to realize not everyone around us has been raised in a Christian home, and there are some that haven’t had the benefit of sound scriptural teaching (even those who were raised in a Christian home – example: some are taught that Genesis is written to cover “Gaps” in time and that God’s Word from the beginning is recorded in error or with some hidden meaning in it) from which they understand God’s Word.

This acrostic is meant to teach, and challenge us as believers.  God LOVED so Jesus came, we are LOVED so Jesus came, those who are in Christ or outside of Christ need to be LOVED so Jesus came, He taught to show us all we have a need to be LOVED, He lived as one who LOVED, He died as one who LOVED……..question is, are we living and teaching as one who is LOVED?  Stop to think – Jesus adopted me and is sending me to do His work everyday, everywhere I go……now that is worth reflecting on.

Learn    (Verb…..action word)

  • from God’s Word because it is valuable – 2 Tim 3:16
  • about those we are witnessing too, what do we know about them and where they are in their walk with God – all person’s have different walks and understandings (biases) based upon their up bringing (even Christians who mean well) – sometimes we don’t know what we don’t know, sometimes we “think” we know, but in reality don’t
  • where and how to discipline concerning God’s Word – without learning those whom we are witness too, we run the risk of creating strife rather than building the opportunity to change lives – Jesus lived examples of this during His ministry here on earth.
  • timing – what timing would God have us use to witness to others – building the relationship prior to or during our witnessing

Observe    (Verb……action word)   Romans 12:9-21

  • As we observe ourselves what do we see?  Do we repay evil for evil?
  • why do we observe?  To learn from others to apply the learning’s ourselves – isn’t this what the disciples did with Jesus?
  • To recognize the reality of what is going on
  • To keep from repeating errors in what we do
  • To be prepared to carry the work of teaching others God’s Word
  • To see in creation, that it shows Genesis to be true
  • To see how the World (Satan) is tempting others to follow the ways of the world instead of Christ.

Voice   (Verb……action word)

  • Is not just ours – others can assume a voice to speak for us – (example as someone who claims
    • to speak for Christians)
  • Hebrews 4:12 “sharper than a double edged sword….”
  • Is a powerful weapon all persons have in our arsenal – it’s easy to speak, but hard to recover when we speak words that bring hurt rather than love.  This doesn’t mean we don’t use our voices to correct when correction is warranted, but our relationship with others will determine the timing and ultimately the success of our correction.
  • God’s Word without fear – not with pride, but in truth
  • God’s Word in a manner that others can understand – taking time to build a relationship with  others that builds the right opportunities to share the Gospel at a level of understanding with others
  • God’s Word with confidence – recognizing that God will provide the words to say when He helps us recognize the opportunity he is opening up for us to share His Word.

Educate    (Verb….action word)

  • understanding that we have to be educated in God’s Word – which means we have to spend time in God’s Word to obtain a level of understanding to teach others.
  • by allowing God’s Word to teach us – opening our hearts and lives to Him to allow Him to lead us in understanding His Word.  His Word can even rebuke us in our thinking.
  • ourselves to realize others may not be at the same level of understanding as we are – and how to talk to them on a level that builds the desire to learn more, rather than insult and destroy the opportunity to lead others.

Declare     (Verb…..action word)

  • Psalm 19:1-3 – God’s creation speaks of His glory
  • Luke 24:27 – Moses went back to Genesis to teach
  • When we state what people should and shouldn’t do – do we  declare this from God’s Word, or from our biases?
  • Does God’s Word truly teach what we are saying or are we stretching scripture to say what we want it to say?
  • We must stand on God’s Word and not our opinions – for when we move into opinions we allow Satan to challenge us at a level that we cannot overcome.

How does one declare?

  • Actions
  • Deeds
  • Example
  • Words
  • How often do we declare?
  • Always
  • In all that we do
  • Everywhere we go
  • Everything we do

With all that is going on in the world today, we recognize Satan is very active everyday.  As our loved ones make decisions that we know aren’t good for them, our hearts hurt.  Even those we know who don’t live as if they have a relationship with Christ, we must careful in how we approach their lives or we risk destroying any opportunity we have to help them realize the need for Christ.  We don’t see Jesus destroy opportunity in demanding change, He taught in a manner that allowed others to choose for themselves the direction for their lives – and yes, some chose to turn away from Him.  His example shows us not to “push”, but to lead and allow others to recognize the truth, then make their own decisions.

Some examples are when we hold strong to a political belief, or something that hurt us in our past  and we are sensitive to it – we speak or react in a way that appears to others to make our opinion of it equal to scripture.

Our faith, and example is in Jesus Christ – not government, not any political party nor political candidate, no earthly church, nor earthly minister.  As Christians we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us…….and it is through Him that we will prevail in being used by God to bring Glory to his church.

Are you LOVED?  (this acrostic is made up of action words – action for us, and action for us with/towards others)

Take time to reflect on this article – what comes to mind?  There are things that you agreed with, and some things that you question as you read this.  Take time to write those things down and spend time in God’s Word seeking answers.

I know I have many opinions  – some He has changed, and many more I need to allow Him to change – and all of this is due to God’s Word convicting me of just that – they were my opinions and not God’s teachings.

Never forget all mankind wants to be LOVED……

 

Larry Bryant is an Elder in the Tell City Church of Christ, Tell City, Indiana