You are serving the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:24 ESV)
Is the exercise of faith merely a Sunday effort with, perhaps, a brief re-acquaintance during the week?
How much of our relationship with Jesus has an effect upon the workplace or other places of recreation and social interaction?
It is not a question of outer adornments but of a relationship with Jesus that influences our speech and demeanour. It is through the enabling of the Holy Spirit that we have the desire to serve the Lord Christ in every situation. If we are of this attitude, then there is no place for ‘second-best’ in anything we do or say. Is this not a far better witness to faith and the Lord Jesus than the wearing of a religious symbol and having an unreformed/unredeemed/unchanged life that might use the name of the Lord in vain, and demonstrate a remarkable lack of ethics, effort and sincerity?
Of ourselves, we can do nothing. We are told to seek first the kingdom of God and the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit by which we are enabled to serve the Lord Christ.
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:31-33 ESV)
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14 ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2 ESV)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8 ESV)
