EFFECTIVE WITNESSING

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. I Corinthians 13:2

I have joined many bible study groups online, and I have quit about just as many. I can never understand how some people who profess to have the Christ in their hearts can use their lips to praise God one moment and lambast a fellow believer the next, all in defense of a doctrinal truth, or so they say.

In these groups, you will meet a lot of people with such great intellect you will be amazed at how much knowledge they have at their command. They are so ready to tear at anyone who will dare to come up with a topic that is in any way contrary to their own way of thinking.

But I really think that sharing the truth should be done in a kind and loving way for it to be effective. How come we say that we are Christians, but have forgotten that Jesus, who is the King of kings, came in humility to make his abode with us so He can fulfill the Scriptures and save us? Didn’t God exhibit such patience for His people in Israel who were known for their stubbornness? Hasn’t He been patient with our own foibles? Because no matter how much we know, it is a part of our walk of faith to fall along the way, for we are not yet glorified, and are still in the process of being sanctified. We should just be thankful that we cannot fall out of grace with God completely because He has also made provisions for our weaknesses. (1 John 1:8) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

People are different from each other in intellect and temperament. They are also different in their quest for maturity as believers. Those who are rich in spiritual things must share them in love and compassion to those that are deficient. We should practice charity, not only with our material riches, but most especially with our spiritual riches. Those who are mature should gently guide those who are not. Besides, Christians are living epistles to the world at large. How can we become effective witnesses for Christ if we behave like unbelievers?

If we create conflict and chaos when discussing the Word of God, instead of leading and enlightening, what does that say about us? People won’t listen, until they know how much we care. A song says it really well, “… And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” And that’s the greatest way to witness, for didn’t God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)?

PERSPECTIVE

Jordanna and I were on our way to my mother's house for the weekend. We were already on board a jeepney when heavy rains started pouring. Jordanna was so upset because to get to her grandma's house, we have to pass through a vacant lot on a lower ground area. On rainy days, rainwater gathers in that particular place so that means we have to wade through ankle-deep muddy water where all sorts of garbage float around. As usual, Jordanna started grumbling about the possibility of contacting leptospirosis from rat excretion in the water. I was worried about it, too, but I had to try and cheer her up or we'll never get to my mother's. Waiting for the water to subside is not an option because if we do that, we are in for a long wait. We carefully picked our way across the flooded area, taking one cautious step after another so that we wouldn't slip on the muddy water. Finally, we got across with Jordanna's "yucks" and "arghs" resonating in my ears.

"Hey, stop for a while", I said. "Don't keep looking down at the ground, look up for a change and tell me what you see." The girl looked at me askance and with raised eyebrows asked, "Mom, are you in one of your strange moods again?" She started laughing then, and I almost pushed her into the flooded area. "Now, just do as I say or you don't get next week's allowance", I threatened. That got her attention alright. And instant obedience. Kids!

"Okay Mom, Let me see, now that it has stopped raining the sky once again looks bright blue and the sun is shining again.", she dutifully recited.

"What else? Look at the trees."

"Well, the leaves look fresh and green", she thoughtfully said. "They looked tired and dull last time we were here."

"That's right," I grinned at her. “After so many days without rain, they tend to look like that. The rain washed away the thick coatings of dust, bringing forth a new life to the plants and trees. Don't you feel that the atmosphere has turned cooler? Can you see the water drops on the leaves' surface sparkling like tiny jewels when the sun's rays touch them?" "Okay, Mom, give me the punch line", she challenged. "No punch line, honey. All I'm saying is that the way you go through life is just a matter of perspective. You were looking down and all you see was the ugliness of the mud puddles and garbage. You looked up and you saw the beauty of the sun, the sky and the trees. In this life, what you see is what you get. You look for what is bad and you will find it. Look for what is good, and it's right there waiting for you. Even the bible tells us this. So you might as well look for what is good and enjoy your journey here.

" 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Phil. 4:8

HUMILITY

By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life.
Proverbs 22:4

One day, the trees in the forest were talking among themselves. The proud Narra tree said: " I have been in this forest for almost a hundred years, and I have stood tall and proud through all those years. I deserve to be called the king of the trees."

"Well, we can't dispute that. You were already here as I was growing up.", replied the acacia tree. "You may be king, but I should be the princess. Look at all these beautiful wild orchids clinging to my trunk and branches. Are they not ornaments worthy of a princess?"

"Very well," the Narra tree replied. "You are now the princess of the forest. How about you, Mahogany tree? What would you like to be?"

"Since my body is hard and strong, I would like to be the captain of the guards. Is that alright, King Narra?" the mahogany tree requested.

"A fitting position for someone of your stature. It should be as you wish.” the King magnanimously conceded.

"And how about me, Your Highness? What shall I be?” a timid voice asked from behind. The king turned around and looked straight at the bamboo diffidently standing before him. He started laughing so hard that the birds perched on his branches were startled and flew in every direction.

"What? You want a place in my kingdom? What foolish ambition. You're not even a tree. You are GRASS! Do you hear that? I don't have any place for you in my scheme of things. Now, quit bothering me.", the king admonished.

All the other trees laughed at the bamboo. They can't imagine how the bamboo had the nerve to think that he can be a part of such a distinguished company of the tall and proud trees of the forest.

Days later, a storm hit the area. Strong winds howled through the forest, thick sheets of rain made visibility impossible, thunders rolled and lightning bolts ripped the sky. The trees fought hard to survive the onslaught of the raging storm. The battle for survival went on all day and all through the night. The next morning, the sun shone brightly as if the storm has never been. But casualties lay around the forest floor, evidence of the fateful event. King Narra has tumbled to the ground, his massive trunk split in the middle by a lightning bolt. Not too far is Princess Acacia, her branches broken and the wild orchids lay scattered around her. Lamenting nearby is the proud Mahogany, leaning dangerously to one side, ready to topple any minute. He looked at the bamboo, still standing straight and tall.

"However did you survive?” he asked in genuine puzzlement.

The bamboo replied, "Very simple captain. I have learned when to bow and when to stand straight and true. I have humbled myself before a mightier force, and it has spared me."

Sometimes we are like the trees in the forest. We stand proud before God, refusing to acknowledge our dependence upon Him. We believe ourselves secure in our own capabilities to go through life with success, until trials and tribulations leave us humbled and broken. We should take a lesson from the humble bamboo. We should surrender our pride, our ambitions and our whole lives to God, because only in Him can we find true riches, honor and life.

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4