Don't Reveal Your Christianity at Work?

Recently, a teen who was hired at a local fast food establishment was told that while working, she was to give no evidence of being a Christian.  She is not to show or demonstrate her Christianity while she works… no crosses, conversations, etc.

I am wondering if, as believers, we should not respond with the following statement.

“I can abide not wearing a cross on my clothing or jewelry that represents my beliefs, but I cannot work here and not show my Christianity.  You see, my relationship with God will be demonstrated in my respect for you as my employer and/or supervisor.  It will require me to respect you to your face and in your absence.  My Christianity will also require me to be honest in my reporting of time, when I arrive at work, and when I take my breaks, as well as how I take care of your property and handle your finances or money.  My beliefs will be demonstrated as I work hard and do a reliable job whether it be scrubbing toilets, mopping the floor, or serving customers.  You see, I don’t work just for my paycheck or to please you, I work to give honor and glory to Jesus Christ my Creator, and He expects not only hard work, but a good attitude as I do my work both inwardly and outwardly.  As a Christian, I will demonstrate love to my co-workers and customers, because I want to honor my God and obey Him who first loved me.  My speech while I work will also give glory to God, in that I choose to honor Him by speaking no profanity or obscenity, nor will I speak any lie or falsehood.  This may require me, if asked, to give credit to Jesus as my Savior or my Guide in life.

You see, because the Holy Spirit lives within me and guides me as I go through my day, if you hire me you will get an honest, hard-working, obedient, trustworthy, and loving employee.  To promise that I could work for you and hide my Christianity would be dishonest of me and unloyal to my Savior, but I do look forward to the opportunity of being employed with you and helping you to maintain and serve a quality product, with quality service.”

These principles are taken from I Peter 2:18-25 and the lives of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the book of Daniel.

Oh, that all believers would demonstrate Jesus Christ in their actions and attitudes in the workplace.  Then, employers would be asking for more Christians in their workforce!

 This illustration was part of a full sermon on I Peter 2:11-25 entitled “Submitting in an Unsubmissive World!”.  You can listen in at www.sermon.net/fbclittletonil . If you have any questions I can be reached at pllindow@fbclittletonil.org.

2 Reminders From Melting Snow

Seeing the last of the melting snow reminded me of a song we sang Sunday morning.  "The earth shall soon melt like snow" indeed 1Peter 3:10 says, "elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works in it will be burned up."  yes, the melting snow can remind us of the coming judgment of God on those who don't believe.

But the melting snow also reminds us that the new life of Spring is almost here.  The new life of spring can remind us of the new heaven and earth that God promises for believers in vs. 13!

Where have you placed your hope? In Jesus Christ?

The Story of a Train

Recently, while walking through town, I saw Bill and some other young men walking on what I thought were train tracks.  I said to Him, “Bill, if you keep walking on there you will get hit by a train.”    Later Tom, the father of one of the boys said to me, “There is no such thing as a train.  Why do you bother the boys with such ridiculous ideas?”  Another Father , Sam, said, “I don’t know if there are trains or not I’ve never seen one so I think it would be loving if you just let the boys alone and let them decide if they think there is a train or not.  Then you can have your beliefs about trains and Tom can have his belief about trains and we can just love each other and get along.” 

Well, I had never seen a train before either, but I had heard from others that had seen one, some who had even ridden on one, and one that was nearly run over by one.  I heard others talk of some who were less fortunate and they were destroyed by a train.  I had also seen houses from Sears that I was told were delivered by the train.  I had seen piles of coal that came off of a train, as well as piles of sand and grain.  So my faith that there were trains was not a blind faith rather it was a faith built upon observations and testimony!  Because I so strongly believe that there are trains I have to encourage Bill and his friends to stay off the tracks.  If I am wrong I will have “bothered” them and cost them a few extra steps.  Yet, if Tom and Sam continue with their attitude and influence and they are wrong there is a good possibility that Bill and/or his friends will be run down by a train.

In a similar way my faith in God is not a blind faith, therefore I have to be faithful to share my belief with others that they too might avoid His just punishment of sin…

God's response to the repentant going back!

In the book of Nahum God reveals how He responds to a country that once turned from its sin (read Jonah) only to go back to it again.  where does this put the USA? once a nation that had a majority who feared God but now don't give him the time of day.

A "Super Quote" From Superman!

I don’t know how many other people have noticed the quote in the newest rendition of Superman: Man of Steel but this quote caught my attention last night.  One of the villains says to Cal, i.e. Superman, “You have not evolved enough you still have a conscience!”  I don’t know if the writers put that there intentionally or not but there seems to be great truth to it.

Here is why I say there is great truth in the statement.   When one believes they have evolved they take away their belief in a creator.  When we take away a creator to which we are accountable then why does one need a conscience.  Each individual does not look to the creator to ask what is right and wrong, rather they make up their own mind, rely on the collective minds of a society, or listen to their government.  When an individual or society have no standards by which they determine right and wrong then morals continually shift.  Unfortunately, they seem to shift further and further from the standards of right and wrong that were set forth by our creator.

I would like to encourage you to consider the truth of Psalm 19.  Psalm 19:1–3 (ESV) ¹The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. ²Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. ³There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.  Then consider how this creator would have you to live in 2014.  Search His Word and live it!