Lights, camera, action!!! This is where you see movements that create interaction. And this kind of interaction works both ways; an expression of oneself and an impression of the viewer. There are actually three commands that are issued to the actors/actresses (portraying certain characters); lights; camera; action
LIGHTS - (Matt. 5:14 “Ye are the light…” Matt. 5:16 “Let your light so shine…”) Actors portray some character. The difference between an actor from a Christian is that the latter doesn’t portray a certain character but lives the life of One Character; our Lord Jesus Christ. As Christians we are the vessel of Jesus. In us, through us, by us Jesus is seen because we are Living In a Godly, Holy and Truthful Spirit that imitates Christ.
CAMERA - (Matt. 5:14 “Ye are the light of the world.” Matt. 5:16 Let your light so shine before men.) Once the lights are set, the camera begins to roll and focuses on the actors/actresses. In the same way, unbelievers are the cameras that begin to roll and focus their attention to Christians. These unbelievers look for
· Comments (corrections that they want to impose)
· Attitude problems (lukewarm Christian)
· Ministerial flaw (mistakes in carrying out one’s task or responsibility)
· Expected mistakes (the same like unbelievers)
· Reversals (changing moods that create an impression of unbelief)
· Alteration (changes in doctrine or faith leading to doubts and weakens faith of others)
But unlike cameras, unbelievers’ recorded scenes cannot be edited. There is no “CUT” if there would be a mistake or flaw. Christians are living as actors imitating the life of Jesus Christ. We live in a continuous roll of film and each time we make a mistake, it covers up all goodness that was done and seen. Just like a clear glass of water; a small drop of black ink corrupts the whole glass.
ACTION - (Matt. 5:16 …that they may see your good works...) The icing of the word of God; action. Without action, nothing ever happens (unless you’re a freak that can move objects with your thoughts, now that would be different). I said awhile ago, icing. The word of God is the chiffon of the cake. Try selling the chiffon at cake’s price and you can’t sell it until it spoils. Even if the chiffon is made by the fanciest bakeshop it still won’t sell. But try covering it with icing and see what happens. It became a cake! Even if the chiffon tastes like flour, it still will be sold if the icing was made beautifully. It’s the surface that counts when it comes to selling cakes. Christians’ behavior and actions are the icing of the word of God. Even if you have the best theology in the world but you’re ways are barbaric then it still is useless. Actions to Christians are good works. It is not enough to talk if you cannot back it up with works.
Good works are not prerequisite of salvation but they are effects of salvation. It is true that faith cometh by hearing and by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). But even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone (James 2:17). Thus, our works must be seen by men that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven (Matt 5:16).
THE MAN OF ACTION
Jesus was and still is the man of action. What do you think made Christ do the impossible? He is the light. He is the true example. He acts on what He preaches and He preaches on what He acts. He implemented the commands of His Father even at the expense of His own earthly life. He knew the consequences of His actions and He knew and foresaw the pain He was to endure. He knew that He will be brutally whipped, beaten, humiliated and crucified. He knew He was to endure physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual pains. He was beaten, mocked, insulted, left by His disciples and seen God turned His back on Him. He knew what was going to happen yet He maintained His position to act. It was a response of humility. It was an act of humility. Jesus never did anything out of pride but of humility.
One good example is found in John chapter 13. The last supper was just finished and Jesus got up from His seat and girded himself with a towel and began to wash the disciples’ feet. Simon Peter rejected the idea of his Master washing his feet. But Jesus told him, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me (v.8).” Jesus did this to all of His disciples, even to Judas the person who betrayed Him. He instructed His disciples, “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you (v.13-15).” Jesus acted with humility, so humble that He even washed the feet of His betrayer. Jesus was teaching His disciples about discipleship, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them (v.16-17).”
Matthew 28:19 states the Great Commission of Jesus to us. He has three commands; GO, TEACH (PREACH in Mark 16:15), and BAPTIZE. Verse 20 states about discipleship, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”
3 F’s in the Great Commission
But to be able to do the Great Commission, we must have the following 3 F’s:
1. Faith - A Christian must build his faith. The Bible strengthens one’s faith. As stated in Romans 10:17, faith cometh by hearing, and by hearing the word of God. One’s foundation must be laid on strong grounds. This ground is our Lord Jesus. Our foundation must also be strong. This foundation is our faith. Our faith must continue to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). Our faith must believe that we are ordained by Jesus to go and bring forth fruit and that fruit remain, that whatsoever we ask of the Father in Jesus’ name, He may give it to us (John 15:16).
2. Fear of the Lord - Prov 22:4 “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.” It is very clear that humility begins before the realization of the fear of the Lord. This verse is teaching us how to live a godly life. The instruction of humility is not about words but about action. From this notion, the fear of the Lord is also about action; it is about the act of leaving the presence of God. If a person is proud, he won’t have to fear the absence of God’s presence; for he trusts his strengths more than God’s. But if a person learned to act in humility, he is in constant fear of losing God’s presence. This is the reason why a godly person always seeks the presence of God early in the morning, before eating or leaving the house. Jesus clearly states in Matt. 4:4, “man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”. Thus, seeking God in His word, in the Bible, gives us wisdom on how to remain in God’s holy presence.
3. Fire - The source of heat, energy and power. Without fire, there would be no technology. Everything depends on fire. Why? Combustion on engines relies on fire. Everything that is ever produced by technology either came or generated by fire.
· It is the source of power. Any mechanic will tell you that if your engine won’t fire then something is wrong with it. To be able to produce a good fire you need the right fuel to get it started.
· Fire creates energy. One example is a train powered by burning coals. The more fire the train produced the more energy it gets moving the train faster. But if less fire were produced by the train then less energy will it have to move it.
· Fire produces heat. In cold countries, you will see houses with chimneys (in high-tech countries they use heaters). Chimneys were used to warm the inside of the house. If there are more wood burned then we have a warmer atmosphere. But if less then expect a colder house.
· HOW TO ACHIEVE FIRE
Having the right fuel
· Gasoline
· Wood and other easily burnt materials
· Bodily action
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S CALL
I have been a Christian for 8 years and through the years I am still learning about humility. I thought that it was hard to humble the tongue. But it is easier than humbling the heart. During my years of being a pastor, I have tried my very best to humble my tongue. The Lord corrected me on this. If you can humble your tongue but not your heart then you’re a hypocrite! A humble tongue and a proud heart is a lying Christian. And lying is Satan’s favorite technique of mayhem and destruction. Once a Christian lies, he allows a part of himself to be controlled by Satan. A lie, even though how small it is, is a sin and is comparable to adultery and murder.
The reason I’m emphasizing this is that God wants us to humble our hearts first. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh (Luke 6:45).” If we have a humbled heart, everything else follows; all actions, speech or body movements become humble. And through humility comes the fear of the Lord. Through the fear of the Lord come riches, and honour, and life (Prov. 22:4).
It takes humility to win souls. It takes humility to go to church every Sunday. It takes humility to listen to the preaching and the hour-long worship songs. It takes humility to worship God through giving our offering and tithes. Now, it takes humility to act the way Jesus did; washing the feet of His disciples.
Brethren, it is not about taking pride but reducing it or taking it out of our lives if we can. Like John the Baptist, Jesus must increase but we must decrease (John 3:30). We are not greater than our Master. Jesus gave an example in John chapter 13; He washed His disciples’ feet. Note that Jesus spoke about washing each other’s feet three times (v. 14, 15, and 17). And note in verse 14, ye also ought to wash one another's feet; the word ought means obligation, natural expectation and logical consequence. Obligation because it is a command. Natural expectation because it is expected to be done by every Christian. Logical consequence because our love for God and for others dictates it.
It is not about pride. It is all an act of humility.
The Act of Humility
By Ptr. JC Balao