Influence with Integrity

We walked through the tension between influence and integrity this Sunday. Both matter to God. It is not one or the other. It is both.

Three things to carry with us.

First, faith in a faction, a law, or a leader will not give us standing with God. Paul counted all his credentials as loss for the sake of Christ. No political camp owns virtue. Righteousness is found in Christ alone. Hold preferences loosely.

Second, temper your zeal with grace and be polite toward everyone. James says where selfish ambition exists, there is disorder and every vile practice. But a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace. Speak evil of no one. Show perfect courtesy toward all people. Season your speech with salt.

Third, influence others with your reasonableness and integrity. Be salt and light. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. Paul became all things to all people for the sake of the gospel. Not to compromise truth, but to remove every unnecessary barrier between a person and Christ.

We are here to shine. Not to shout. To season, not to smother.

Something to sit with this week:

Is your zeal for something making it harder for someone else to see Jesus in you?