Preach the gospel, and if necessary use words.
—ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
I heard it again this past Sunday.
Standing at the edge of the stage at Church of the Highlands, watching our “church news” video play, waiting to walk on and deliver God’s Word to thousands of people, I heard a voice ask, “Who do you think you are? What makes you think you can do this?”
This voice is nothing new; I hear it every Sunday. I hear it every time I step on a stage to speak in front of people. It’s the little voice in my head that tries to remind me of who I was before God started working in my life. It’s the voice trying to undermine what God is doing through me.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an inferiority complex. Even though I was consistently loved and affirmed by every authority figure in my life, including my parents, I’ve struggled to believe in myself. I suspect much of it stems from the bullying I experienced in elementary school. Then when my high school years came along, my life didn’t get much better. I loved sports but didn’t have the physical body to pull them off successfully. I wasn’t the greatest student either. With my best efforts, I was a B or C student. I lived in South Louisiana, which was fiftieth on just about every list, from education to economic prospects. So how could my life have any significance when I was at the bottom of the bottom?
Even after I gave my life to Christ, I didn’t think I would be very successful. I assumed, “I am who I am, and I can’t change that.” I was just grateful God loved me enough to save me.
As I got closer to the Lord and let his Word work in my life, something began to happen. God began to develop me into another person, one that at times I don’t even recognize today. That shy, bullied, insecure little boy from South Louisiana now influences a lot of people around the world. Sometimes it’s hard to believe. I’m living proof God transforms us into a brand-new people, those who grow into the fullness of who God made us to be.
Sometimes those who consider themselves the “least likely to succeed” become the most likely to touch the world around them. People tell me, “I want to be salt and light, but I just don’t know what to say or how to be. I just don’t think I’m cut out to share my faith the way you’re talking about.” That’s why I like telling people about that little voice I hear, the one that tries to make me doubt what I’m capable of doing. After three decades of ministry, it’s still there. But the voice of God has been, and always will be, stronger, and I hold on to the fact that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13 NKJV).
Sometimes those who consider themselves the “least likely to succeed” become the most likely to touch the world around them.
Distinguishing Yourself
In the world we live in today, with so much moral compromise and acerbic back-and-forth between people on various sides of the issues at hand, the only hope for culture to improve is a spiritual revolution, one led by strong, loving, confident Christians. The kind of followers of Jesus who enter into culture and engage with everyone around them like a breath of fresh air. People who aren’t perfect and don’t claim to be, just men and women, boys and girls, trying to love God with their whole hearts, minds, and lives.
People like you and me.
This is what I love about Daniel. Most likely, he never imagined himself as a prisoner of war, someone whose strong faith not only withstood the enormous cultural pressures around him but also impressed those holding him captive. Can you imagine the pain of being taken into slavery and transported into a completely different culture? Can you imagine how it felt to be separated from family, friends, and home? Can you imagine how insecure he must have felt to live in a culture that mocked his religion and despised his lifestyle?
Yet Daniel was a man of influence, a counterculture conduit of God in an ungodly world. How did he do it? With all that going against him, how did he become someone who would influence four administrations of government in a pagan culture?
Simple. He let God transform him into the person God had always intended him to be. And if we’ll live in the same space of surrender, God will also transform us into his likeness for the purpose of influencing the culture around us. By my definition, this is what true leadership is all about: influencing the culture around you. It’s not surprising, then, that my favorite passage from the book of Daniel also includes my favorite verse on leadership:
It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. (Dan. 6:1–3)
Notice it doesn’t say Daniel was naturally distinguished, unique, or special. I’m not very distinguished either! But the Bible says he “distinguished himself”—with exceptional qualities that impressed the king and the king’s leaders. Being distinguished often comes from someone’s appearance, natural ability, or quirky personality while distinguishing oneself typically relies more on what you do and how you do it. The difference is important, because it means that we can also distinguish ourselves through our attitudes, words, and behavior. We don’t have to be a super saint or perfect Christian. These “exceptional qualities” were nothing special or unusual to Daniel; they all emerged on display because he simply followed God and remained firm in his faith. And, as a result, the king gave Daniel even more influence!
Daniel became an individual of note to others as he let God work in his life. The Bible talks about this kind of transformation:
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Cor. 3:17–18)
I love this description of the process! The Lord is the Spirit, and the word translated as Spirit here literally means “fresh air.” In other words, the Lord brings life to our lives by giving us freedom and hope. Just as God first breathed life into Adam, our Father continues to infuse our lives with the breath of his Spirit.
God’s fresh, life-giving power enables us to change. Into what? His likeness. And then we bring that freshness, that new life, everywhere we go. As others around us notice and are influenced by our words and actions, then the culture around us experiences that same transformation. Simply put, if we let God change us, it’s not only good for us but for the world around us.
The Full Weight of Glory
Our present culture desperately needs this—more encounters with life-giving, fresh-air-bringing followers of Jesus. With so much turmoil in our world today, more and more people are looking for hope. The more we look and act like Jesus, the more others will find hope in God. This is how we reflect God’s glory—by looking like Jesus.
So what does Jesus look like? What does “looking like Jesus” mean on a practical, day-in day-out basis? We know the earthly Jesus looked like a man, a Jewish man of ancient times during the Roman Empire. We’ve all seen various depictions of him in paintings and pictures, movies, and TV shows. Obviously, we’re not all able to resemble him physically. Instead, we are to look like his glory. The biblical word we translate as glory literally means “full weight.” We are to represent the “full weight” of Christ’s presence to everyone around us. How do we do this? While we can answer this question in many ways, I believe a concise set of qualities emerges from this description in John’s prophetic vision:
If we let God change us, it’s not only good for us but for the world around us.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. (Rev. 4:6–7)
We see this same scene in the Old Testament. The prophet Ezekiel saw the face of God and said, “Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle” (Ezek. 1:10). He went on to conclude, “This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD” (Ezek. 1:28). These four faces, these four different facets of Jesus’ character, provide a symbolic, focused way for us to think about how we can be more like Jesus and share his love with our culture.
And when we do, we can have the same influence Daniel had on those around him.
Love God
As king of the jungle, the lion came to symbolize power and royal authority throughout much of history. We see lions representing royalty on various coats of arms, on shields and palaces, and in royal crests and medals. As followers of Jesus, however, our power doesn’t come from a title or position of authority but from cultivating our relationship with God, the ultimate authority. And when we spend time with God, the result is boldness. “The righteous are as bold as a lion” (Prov. 28:1).
This quality of boldness, represented by the face of the lion, is on vivid display throughout the Gospel of John as he emphasizes Jesus’ power as the Son of God. Scholars believe John wrote his gospel at the end of his life, around AD 90. He wrote his account of Jesus’ life to demonstrate that Jesus is not just fully man but also fully God. His gospel is directed to “all who believe” and contains more about the final week of Jesus’ earthly life than any other gospel. John described Christ in all his power and glory, the King of kings, the Lion of Judah.
In John’s gospel, we also see how we have access to Christ’s power as we grow deeper in love with Jesus. John himself is frequently referred to as the “disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:7). He spent time with Jesus and became devoted to sharing the good news for the rest of his life, long after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. The boldness and the courage he had to live in this way was not necessarily natural to him as a person, but it was a natural outflow of his relationship with Jesus, a reflection of the one with whom he spent so much time. In fact, the book of Acts tells us that “when they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
The more time we spend with him, the more others can see him through our words and actions.
John’s gospel, along with the face of the lion, reminds us of the importance of cultivating our relationship with God. Everything flows out of that relationship and how we spend quality time in his presence. We develop closeness with God by praying and fasting, studying his Word, and worshipping him. As a result, we develop a character that reflects God and his glory. The more time we spend with him, the more others can see him through our words and actions.
Let’s take a moment for a quick, honest inventory: How much time are you spending with God on a daily basis? Are you committed to boldly being an image of God to the world? How does this commitment come out in your daily life? What needs to change?
We can’t make a difference if we’re not different.
Love People
The second face of Jesus, that of a man, emerges thematically throughout the Gospel of Luke. His depiction of Christ, up close and personal, focuses on Jesus as the “Son of Man” and begins by tracing Jesus’ genealogy all the way back to Adam, the ideal man. Throughout Luke’s writings, we find an emphasis on the way Jesus wasn’t lofty, placing himself above others, but served everyone around him.
As a medical doctor by profession, Luke often includes precise medical terminology in his account of how Jesus healed the sick and infirm. Luke primarily wrote for an audience of cultured, educated Greeks and gives us the most complete, orderly, and classical description of Christ’s time on earth. Luke also gives the best description of Jesus’ birth and childhood and records unique stories and parables not found in the other gospels.
Throughout Luke’s account, the focus remains on Jesus’ ministry to people and the way it was always primarily about those people around him. Christ was attuned to people and frequently cut through everything else to address both their deepest physical and spiritual needs. If we want to be like Jesus and make a difference in our culture, then we must learn how to be people persons.
But, Chris, you might be thinking, I’m not a people person! I’m too shy, too quiet, too embarrassed to talk about spiritual matters with others. And I don’t want to make things awkward by asking about their needs. . . . This just isn’t my thing. But I disagree. We all relate to other people uniquely, but we are all called to relate, to care, to notice the people around us. Jesus talked about a lot of things, but more than any other subject he talked about relationships.
Whether healing the sick, feeding the multitudes, or washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus demonstrated his greatness by putting others before himself. He lived to be a servant to all. With him as our example, we must be team players, believing we are better together. We can’t go it alone. We need other people, and they need us. We must defend, protect, and encourage one another.
Practically speaking, this means we have to cultivate respect and honor the trust we build with others. We must humble ourselves just as Jesus did and remove barriers of race, gender, age, and ethnicity. In Jesus’ eyes, there are no outsiders. There’s no room for an attitude of “us versus them.” We are all created in the image of God, and he is committed to pursuing and loving each of us so that we might know him. God doesn’t play favorites, and neither should we.
In Jesus’ eyes, there are no outsiders. . . . God doesn’t play favorites, and neither should we.
Excellence
What comes to mind when you consider an eagle? Many people tend to think of a majestic bird that soars to great heights with a fierce kind of grace. This view has been established historically because the eagle has been used as a symbol of royalty and power even before the time of Christ, appearing on armor, coins, flags, and other forms of heraldry. Throughout Scripture we see only positive references to the eagle, including Psalm 103:5, Exodus 19:4, and Isaiah 40:31.
Today, of course, most of us think of the eagle as a symbol of our country, a proud emblem of our United States of America that appears on our currency, government buildings, and presidential seal. From ancient times and still today, the eagle remains a noble reminder to seek higher goals, to pursue excellence in all that we do.
It’s no coincidence, then, that Matthew’s gospel, traditionally symbolized by the face of the eagle, spotlights “Jesus as Messiah.” We get a double dose of inspirational excellence in action here, both in Matthew’s style as well as his focus. Before becoming one of Jesus’ disciples, Matthew was a money guy, an accountant and tax collector accustomed to focusing on the details down to the last penny. We see his attention for detail and pursuit of excellence in the way he cites the Old Testament more than any of the other gospels. Writing the longest of the four gospels, Matthew developed his own complete bibliography to support and cross-reference various aspects of Jesus’ life. Virtually every English teacher would be forced to give Matthew an A+ for his work.
Matthew not only displays excellence in his account of Jesus’ life; he also focuses on Jesus as the Messiah, the Promised One whom the Jewish people had been anticipating for hundreds of years. With a lineage that descended from King David, Jesus was a king by birth. However, for the Jewish people to accept Jesus as the Messiah, most of them would want historical evidence. This is where Matthew’s attention to detail shows the great pains he took to lay out the proof of Jesus’ identity as the long-promised Son of God. Consequently, Matthew quoted the Old Testament prophecies extensively. He wanted to make his case clear and logical, to use familiar and historical passages that would compel his audience to consider his point seriously. Matthew wanted to do everything in his power to make sure he presented the strongest case possible.
Therefore, this third facet of who Jesus is directs us, his image-bearers, toward a commitment to excellence. We are to live respectable lives and let all that we do be done to the best of our ability. We place a huge value on this truth at Church of the Highlands. We want everything we do to reflect excellence—not back at us and our efforts, but to our Source. Attention to excellence in how we create an environment for people to experience God attracts people and allows them to relax and be comfortable. They feel respected and appreciated by the care we take on their behalf. Being comfortable allows people to be receptive.
If we want to stand out like Daniel, then we need to display a willingness to do our best at all times. In addition to such attention to detail, we need to do it in ways that don’t garner praise for ourselves but for God. No one is perfect and we don’t want to get hung up on our own, or someone else’s, expectations, but when we focus on Christ and continually point the fruit of all our efforts back at him, we can do all things well, as if we were doing them for Jesus himself.
What does this look like practically? This kind of person shows up early and leaves late, displaying the hallmarks of someone who is a good steward of all that’s entrusted to them. Christians should be the people who do things before they’re asked. We need to take the initiative whenever we become aware of a need or opportunity. I often say, “Find a need and fill it—find a hurt and heal it.”
Go the extra mile. Do more than was asked. Give more than is expected. Surprise people with the love of Jesus. This will force people to recognize God’s glory and power in your life.
Attitude
Last but not least, the fourth of these key Christlike qualities, symbolized by the ox, points us toward the kind of attitude we must cultivate, one that perseveres and trusts God, steadily walking according to his direction no matter what circumstances may come our way. The ox was known to be a strong, reliable animal that could always be counted on. Similarly, Jesus continued in the work and path God called him to regardless of the judgment and persecution that others threw at him. He was faithful and steady, and because of this, he changed many lives.
We see this attitude on full display in Mark’s Gospel, which was written primarily to the Romans to showcase the mighty miracles that Jesus performed. We know that Mark was a disciple of Peter, so Mark’s Gospel is primarily Peter’s account of Jesus’ life. This Gospel brings the total number of Jesus’ miracles recorded in all four Gospels to thirty-five. They include:
• 17 bodily cures (leprosy, paralysis, blindness, deaf and dumb, internal hemorrhage, dropsy, fever, etc.)
• 9 miracles over nature (catches of fish, stilling of storms, feeding of multitudes, walking on water, etc.)
• 6 deliverances of demoniacs
• 3 resurrections
• An innumerable multitude of healings for those who simply touched Jesus’ garment or those he personally laid hands upon
What do these miracles all have in common besides Jesus’ miraculous power? They all show an attitude of calm, resilient unflappability despite what seemed like impossible situations—debilitating sickness, uncontrollable natural circumstances, even the finality of death. With the Holy Spirit living in us, we have the ability to remain faithful, to exude peace, calm, and hope no matter what may happen in our lives. Even in the face of unbearable tragedy and losing loved ones, we know that we can trust God and keep going. We may not know how, but like the ox we can faithfully plod along and know that our burden is light and our yoke is easy.
Paul certainly knew about what it was to remain calm, cool, and collected amid crazy circumstances. When angry leaders told him, “We’ll throw you in prison!” Paul almost seemed eager to go back there. We know that while in jail Paul ministered to at least one jailer and finished some of his writings to other believers in other churches (Acts 16:25–31). Remember, he was the disciple of Jesus who considered his life the ultimate win-win situation: If he remained alive on earth, he could tell more people about Christ. If he died and went to heaven, then he would get to be present with the Lord.
We have this same guarantee, and our attitude should reflect it. Are circumstances in your life dragging you down? Are you so overwhelmed by changes in culture that you feel like there’s nothing you can do? Then think again, my friend! “You must influence them; do not let them influence you!” (Jer. 15:19 NLT).
It’s so important that we examine our lives and surrender our baggage, our worries, our secrets, and our fears all at the foot of the cross. Make a decision to rest in the peace of God no matter your circumstances, to relish this life you’ve been given. Be a living breath of fresh air wherever you go. This is the essence of faith! Don’t bring more problems; bring solutions. Bring a steady certainty of who God is, and allow others to know that he and he alone is the source of your peace and purpose in this life.
The secret of influence isn’t what you say; it’s how you live.
Jesus is the perfect example of how to engage people’s hearts in a shifting culture. Drawing on the four faces of God described in the prophetic books of Ezekiel and Revelation, we find symbols for all the Christlike qualities we need. With the boldness of a lion, we develop courage and character that flows out of real relationship with our all-powerful, gracious God, drawing other people to him who see this in us and want to know more. With the genuine love for people displayed by the face of the man, we relate to people through humble service, putting their needs above our own. The eagle reminds us to demonstrate a lifestyle that people respect and want, a commitment to excellence second to none. And the ox symbolizes our steady unflappability, despite whatever circumstances may come our way, a real-life manifestation of the peace we find in Jesus.
The secret of influence isn’t what you say; it’s how you live.
Like the early believers wanting to change their culture, may we also pray “that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it” (Philem. 1:6 MSG). That’s the secret to real influence. That’s why we’ve built these four qualities into the culture of our church:
Love God.
Love people.
Do everything with excellence.
Have a good attitude.
It’s that simple.