Teach good things—standards from the Bible—so there will be peace with God and peace with men. That’s too simplistic, was what I suspected the naysayers would say about the premise of what I wrote on Wednesday. I can understand how they would say that, looking at the complexity of issues the world faces today, understanding and recognizing man’s sinful nature and acts, understanding and recognizing their own sinful nature and acts, and seeing that the mess of a world we live in was not created in one day. This type of reasoning is easy to understand when we only focus on the mess we see and not focus on the God who can redeem the mess. He is where our focus must be. Otherwise, we are defeated before we even begin to teach anything good.

God is all powerful, all knowing and all seeing. His power resides in believers of Jesus Christ, and being obedient to His Word effectuates His power through us. His power is what created the universe, parted the Red Sea, raised Jesus from the dead, keeps me from abusing my children and cussing out my husband and restrains me from other sinful desires. We must recognize His power in us. Otherwise, we are defeated before we even begin to teach anything good.

So go forth in confidence to model what you want mimicked. We know that if we are around anyone long enough we pick up on each other’s characteristics. There was a season where my friends and I laughed alike, not because we were cultish, but we subconsciously influenced each other, constantly being together. And there are times when I wonder where my children get the phrases they say; then I find my husband and me saying them and realize they have picked them up from us. So do and say what you want repeated:

1) Exhibit the 10 Commandments.
2) Display the Fruit of the Spirit.
3) Develop practical lessons based on the 10 Commandments and Fruit of the Spirit and teach them. Have bible study with your children. Share your findings with your friends. Offer to host a Bible Study with neighbors or coworkers. Get an accountability partner to encourage your walk. This is doable.

These provide a good starting point because they are the basics and the basis for expected Christian behavior. You will be copied whether you want to or not, and even those who are skeptical about the power of God’s Word will pause to see how your life is different and think twice about their doubts. They may even decide to want Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and join you in the fight to bring about peace with God and peace with men.

Copyright 2009 by Rhonda J. Smith