Have you ever felt that you needed to apologize for a friend or loved one because they were an embarrassment? After they did or said something that hurt someone, you tried to either explain or excuse their hurtful or careless words or behavior.
Don't be the kind of Christian that other people "apologize for."
Trust, follow, obey Christ and you will avoid the words and actions that are unloving, insensitive and immature (un-Christ like).
Sometimes it is the thoughtless, momentary lapse that offends other people, but sometimes it is the usual attitude or personality flaws that have been allowed to run roughshod over other people.
Take time to let the Holy Spirit enlighten you about your negative impact on others, and then let Him enliven you in the likeness of Jesus.
Be forewarned, He may point out an attitude or viewpoint or habit or idiosyncrasy that you prize. It may be more than simply a minor adjustment in your life; it may take death to self. Remember, you will either die to sin or you will die in sin.
Then again, sometimes we need to be the kind of Christian that other people "apologize for."
Then again, sometimes we need to be the kind of Christian that other people "apologize for."
If you follow Jesus (in both deed and attitude), you will offend those who love their old ways, or the supposed new ways of a more "enlightened society."
In this way, I have had loved ones apologize for me, or try to explain or excuse my old fashioned or extremist or bazaar or "legalistic" ways.
It hurts when your loved ones rebuff your love for them, and your love for Gods ways. But it is better to love God and be misunderstood and misrepresented by men than it is to be a shame to God.
SPEAKING TRUTH IN LOVE
Ephesians 4:14-15
(14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
(15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
WALKING WORTHILY
Ephesians 4:1-4
(1) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
(2) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
(3) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Colossians 1:9-11
(9) For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
(10) That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
(11) Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
(11) As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
(12) That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
THE WORK OF GOD IN US
Ephesians 4:23-32
(23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
(24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
(25) Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
(26) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
(27) Neither give place to the devil.
(28) Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
(29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
(30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
(32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
