There’s an acronym making the rounds again (as it has for many, many years) that I think has merit: T.H.I.N.K. before your speak. And the letters mean is it true? Is it helpful? Is it necessary? Is it kind? (the “I” stands for “is it inspiring, but, honestly, not everything we say needs to be inspiring). It’s a very interesting concept, and one I think most of us could benefit from. Christians are to be in the world, if not of it. I think Christians should talk about important issues. I think Christians should be involved everywhere. I think they should remain Christian while seeking those pursuits. However, given that our nature is to be sidetracked, we need to be grounded, rooted, and always pointing back to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In this case, THINK doesn’t quite cut it.
Instead, we should ask Do my words/actions point back to Christ? Am I Giving God Glory? Am I building up the body? Am I serving others? (Doesn’t make a good acronym, PGBS sounds like a baby learning to babble, but I hope you get the point). We need to, in everything and anything we do keep the main thing the main thing. And the main thing for all believers is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For too long, we have focused on the wrong things: building up our platforms, building (numerically) churches, being relevant, and more. It’s time we go back to equipping and training the saints for the work of ministry, seeking the lost, and spreading the good news!
Romans 12
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. 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.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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