| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Deep Discipleship” Our Bible verse for today: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.” James 3:17-18 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Quiet confidence” In yesterday’s devotional I commented that sinners flocked to Jesus. There was something about His manner and demeanor, something about the love and grace that flowed from Him, that made people want to be near Him. And I challenged all of us to consider if that is also true of us. As disciples of Jesus are we like Jesus? Are struggling and hurting people attracted to us? Do they see us as a source of love, understanding, grace, compassion, and help? There’s an article being circulated in some Christian circles recently that claims that Christians today are too nice. It comes from one of those internet sources that most people have never heard of, and it attempts to make the case that Christians should be angrier, louder, and more assertive. The implication is that if we’re not being loud and “not nice” then we are being weak and timid. But I don’t think “being too nice” is the problem. I’m especially sure that is not the image most non-Christians have of the Christian community overall. It’s certainly not the caricature the media promotes. We do have to be active and vocal in the world; and we are to be on-mission with Jesus, engaged in the issues of the day. But how we do it is as important as that we do it. Being calm, reasoned, patient, and kind does not equate to being weak, timid, and fearful. Jesus was calm, reasoned, patient, and kind but He most certainly was not weak, timid, or fearful. I have often compared the model Jesus set for us as being one of steel and velvet. He had an inner core of steel wrapped in an outer covering of velvet. He had firm uncompromising convictions, along with the capacity to treat lost, hurting, and struggling people with love, grace, compassion, and kindness. I have come to think of such character as the quiet confidence that grows out of deep discipleship. When you are quietly confident, you don’t have to be loud and angry. When you are sure of yourself, you can then wade into the fray in control of your emotions and prepared to deal with people (even opponents) in a calm and reasoned manner. When a person is becoming more and more like Christ it will be evident in their calm, confident manner. It is the quiet confidence that grows out of deep discipleship. God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville |
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