5:58 – Known in Certain Cirlces

#faithbites #faithjourney certain

Intro

The other day I was in a meeting and we were talking about how to get our students known for their work. We talked about professors and clinicians running in different circles and how expertise may not be known outside of certain circles. For instance, if I asked you who a well-respected biochemical engineer is, you may not know unless you are in that circle. Likewise, if I ask you for a well-respected neurosurgeon is, if you aren’t in that circle you may not know. Also, there are times when a reputation, good or bad, deserved or undeserved, may go outside of that certain circle. You may hear about a person who is “bad” but within their circle, they are known, loved, and respected. Gossip, rumor, and misunderstanding can tarnish that reputation.

Many of us are in Jesus’s circle. We know him. love him, and have had him make huge changes in our lives. Others, outside of the circle, may know of him and have a good impression of him. Similiarly, there may be people outside of his circle who know of him and have a negative impression of him. Why? It is usually because he may be heard of outside the circle but not known. Plus those who think they know him, learn of him through those on the inside. What does that say about you?

Questions

• How do you help people know the true Jesus?
• What do you do for those not within the circle to show them that Jesus is for everyone?
• How can you help change the negative impression of Jesus and Christianity that some have through actions of others?

Scripture

• Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord
• John 5:24 – Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
• 1 John 4:16 – So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Reflection

Jesus is love, salvation, peace, forgiveness, and every lasting life. Many not in his circle see him as condemning, hating, and punishing. That is not our Jesus or our God. Why do people think that? They get that impression becuase of how His followers act. Be it the corner preacher telling people they will burn in hell to those will protest signs against people to those actively working against the word in His name. If we want Jesus to be known, truly known, outside our circle, we need to share him. The way we share him is with love, understanding, and the Word. Through conversations and relationships, we expand the circle and show how awesome our God is and change the hearts and minds of those who have negative feeling towards him.

As we close, remember the saying used in business, “Its not what you know, but who you know.” The same is true with Jesus. We need to share him, so all may know him.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank ou for who you are. Thank you for helping us se eyou and be blessed by you. We pray that you help us widen your circle so that all may see the real you through our actions and deeds. We pray that our actions are pleasing to you and we help change hearts and minds. In your name, we pray Amen.