Christ in My Career: Part Three (Influence)

This is a portion of a book titled, "Christ in My Career" by Allen W. Graves. I will post edited by me to update usage. "Influence Belongs to God"  Christians can use their influence to draw others to Christ or they can use it to drive them away. One’s example may lead others to seek the Savior who can transform life. Or it may cause an unbeliever to lose all confidence in Christians.

Some people who never read the Bible, attend Church, or hear a sermon can be greatly influenced by the life and testimony of a Christian. The life of a faithful Christian witness is an open book whose contents are obvious to all with whom he associates. Such a life is an unanswerable argument as to the reality of saving and transforming power of Christ.

Every Christian wields an influence of some kind, either good or bad. He either represents or misrepresents Jesus by the way he lives, works, talks, and worships. The right use of influence is a responsibility of every young and old Christian should welcome.

Paul advised, “For none of us liveth to himself… It is good neither to eat flesh (meat offered to idols), not to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak” Romans 14:14, 21

Christ in My Career Part Two (Time)

This is a portion of a book titled, "Christ in My Career" by Allen W. Graves. I will post the entire part as written my him, because I could not summarize any better.
"Time Is to Be Used for God
The way in which a Christian uses his/her time will determine his or her success or failure in Christian living. No Christian has a right to "kill" time. Time is a precious gift from God to be invested wisely.
The proper use of time would solve the problems of many troubled and frustrated people. It would greatly reduce the difficulties experienced in the work of many Churches.
The right use of time could bring education to the unlearned, prosperity to the poor, culture to the uncouth, and achievement to the discouraged.
paul urges Christians to "walk in wisdom..., redeeming the time" (Col.4:5). Ecclesiastes 8:5 reminds every young person that "a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgement"."

Christ in My Career Part One (Talents)

What keeps many from thinking about being a witness in their workplace is the belief that the sacred and secular are separate. What happens on Sunday stays on Sunday. Growing up I was under the impression that we could live as we like during the week as long as we gave God Sundays and Wednesday nights. But since I gave my life to the Lord, I have learned better.

Not only does our little 10% belong to the Lord, our whole life does. In this post I would like to share a little of the first chapter of Allen W. Graves’ book, “Christ in My Career”, published in 1958 by Convention Press. He brings out Paul’s writing in 1 Cor. 6:19-20,

“What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price.”

 And Mr. Graves says, “Christians belong to God, A Christian’s life is measured by the way in which it is used for God.” Or may I say, “Used by God?”  Also, Mr. Graves adds, “The freedom of the Christian is disciplined by his loyalty to Christ and a desire to please Him.”

Now you may ask, “Which part is he talking about?” The Word of God is very plain; “all” belongs to God. First, our talents belong to God. The whole reason we are given talents, gifts, and skills is for God’s use and the work of God through His Church. Romans 12:1 read,

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

To use our talents for service is the least we can do, the most reasonable things for us to do in our workplace.  Without this attitude of the ownership of our talents to God, we will never be effective in our Christian lives in reaching the lost.

This is Part one of a series of post I will be sharing on from Mr. Graves’ book.