COMBATING CYNICISM
Attitude of a Winning Steward
BY ROBIN SAM
remain silent but they are just as cynical and see you through foggy glasses. Paul gives us a clue about how our outlook should be vis-a-vis cynics and critics. He says in Titus 1:1516, “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Remember if you are pure, all things are pure to you. But, it is not so with those who oppose you. Paul uses four words to describe those who oppose the man of God and his work for the Kingdom of God. He says, they are ‘defiled’, ‘unbelieving', 'abominable’ and ‘disobedient’. But then remember the final word about their condition. They are reprobate to every good work. The Greek word used for ‘reprobate’ can mean unapproved, worthless and rejected. They are castaway from every good work. They are worthless in the sight of God. They are abominable in His eyes. And, since they are unbelieving and disobedient heavenly inheritances are not for them. But, if you remain pure remember you are the one God had in mind when He made the psalmist write the 24th psalm. “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation’ (verses 3-5).
WHAT do you do when your intentions are viewed with cynicism and your efforts criticised? This is top of the mind for anyone called out by God and separated by Him for His work. You could be a teacher at a nondescript school in a rural area who wants to live by your convictions but you are constantly called names and vilified for things you didn’t do. You could be a Lower Division Clerk at a government office whose very walls may stink of corruption but you want to show the world that you are different because of the One who saved you. You could be a minister of God attempting great things for God because you expect great things from God. But you are hamstrung by lack of resources and worse, your very ideals and actions are viewed with suspicion even by those who surround you. The church at Philippi was very generous. ‘...in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only,’ Apostle Paul said. But he was careful to add in Philippians 4:17 the following words (‘Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account’) lest he be misunderstood. Misunderstandings arise. Cynics abound around us. They seem to be everywhere, but then a man or a woman of God need not be dejected. He/she needs to rise above all these things that try to pull him down. Some critics are vocal. Some others are not - they THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER w SEPTEMBER 2018
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