Around the turn
of the century in rural Texas, an old man crippled with arthritis was very
faithful in his attendance at a local church. Twice on Sunday and once on
Wednesday night a little girl watched from her bedroom window as the old man,
with cane in hand, painfully and slowly made his way down the street to the
church building on the corner. One Sunday morning, following an unusually
strong overnight winter storm, the little girl ran to her window, looked out
and exclaimed to herself, “Surely the old man won’t go to church this morning!”
But there he was, right on schedule, plodding very cautiously through the ice
and snow. The little girl could contain herself no longer. She had to visit the
little church on the corner to see for herself what could possibly be there
that would bring the old man out on such an inclement morning. The little girl
was impressed with the services that morning and a short time later she became
a Christian, as did her whole household.
The rest is
history. After finishing high school, she enrolled in a Christian college and
while there met a fine Christian young man whom she later married. To this
union a son was born who was to become one of the finest gospel preachers that
ever lived. During the time that he served the Lord, this man led literally
thousands of people to Christ.
The old man
went to his reward without realizing just what an impact he had made for the
cause of Christ. Because of his godly influence many people will go to heaven
to be with him. There can be no greater joy than to reach heaven and to hear
some say, “I’m here because you had shown me the way.” It is a fact that we are
capable of showing others the way. This can be achieved because of the powerful
influence we all have in the ability to openly exert our love and devotion to
the Creator while we live on this earth.
[Titus 2:7-8]
“…in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine
showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be
condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to
say of you.” I would pose a question to all of us who are Christians: “Have you
ever stopped to consider the influence we may have on those around us?” It has
been said many times that if heaven becomes your home you will take others with
you because of the influence you have exerted while living here on earth. I
believe the opposite of this will also be true. If you are lost you will take
those with you into eternal punishment who have followed your earthly example.
We are being observed by others many times when we least expect it or are
unaware of the presence of others.
The apostle
Paul was addressing the Philippians concerning their influence, “Do all things
without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless,
children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse
generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Philippians
2:14-15). The child of God is to be innocent, even though the world around us
is crooked and perverse. By living this way our influence will be as a light.
The apostle Paul instructed Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an
example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in
purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). The Christian is to be an example of what a believer
truly is. The power of the Christian influence is something that one should
never take for granted. Who is it that we are influencing with our Christ-like
example? Are we influencing others toward salvation and eternal life in heaven?
Or is our lackadaisical attitude of love and devotion toward Christ leading
others astray, influencing them toward eternal hell and damnation. This is a
question we “Christians” must consider in complete earnestness and honestness.