Walking properly before outsiders
by Carolyn Ehrlich
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Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders (1 Thessalonians 4:11,12a).
We are called to be witnesses for Jesus. Which of the following approaches will do more for spreading the gospel: (a) letting go of our duties while we try and convince sceptics they will have better lives or be better people if they believe in Jesus, or (b) being dependable, hardworking, and honest as we go about our lives?
One of our most favoured ways of doing this is through words – telling people about our life with Jesus and the good news message of the gospels. Is this wrong? No. But it doesn’t really matter what we say or that we are forgiven; the world will judge Christians by what they see us doing. They will interpret our actions and behaviours against a standard of perfection. And we will fall short of this lofty ideal every single time. We are human, and although reborn into the body of Christ through baptism, we are the seed of Adam. We fail. We sin. And we are forgiven.
In our reading today, Paul tells us how to behave properly before outsiders. First, he tells us to live a quiet life, have a quiet disposition, and channel our enthusiasm for Jesus into living an ordinary life. Ordinary, not extraordinary. Quiet, not loud, bombastic and overbearing. Second, he tells us to mind our own business. Work on the things that God has assigned us to do in this life—not looking over the fence and attending to the business of others. This means being personally diligent, steady and faithful. Being a reliable and honest employee or employer. Third, Paul tells us to work with our hands. He instructs us to earn our own wages while we can. We need to work with our hands so that we provide for our own and share extra with others.
When we accept Jesus as our Saviour and King, unbelievers watch and wonder about what we do, so it is important that we conduct ourselves wisely. It is important that we speak with grace because unbelievers are listening and learning. And we need to respond to people with dignity and sensitivity. Today, walk with wisdom and speak with grace.
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me your word as a perfect instruction manual for how I am to live. Every day I fall short of your standard. Forgive me, Lord. Today, with the help of your Holy Spirit, lead me in your ways so that I conduct myself wisely. Teach me how to speak with grace. Soften my words. Make me attentive to people and interact with them genuinely. Teach me how to quietly go about living in a way that is a true witness for you in the community in which I live, work and play. Help me to be diligent, honest, steady and faithful as I go about the work that you have planned for me this day. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Carolyn Ehrlich lives in retirement with her husband Wayne in Ipswich, Queensland. Before retirement, Carolyn was an academic, working as a researcher in the fields of disability and rehabilitation. Carolyn had also previously worked clinically as a registered nurse. Today, Carolyn keeps busy with hobbies such as patchwork and quilting, supporting the Ipswich Lutheran Parish in various leadership roles, and supporting her family.
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