Being the Righteous

There is something fascinating and inspiring about hearing words clearly and powerfully shared. Here John is without doubt as he cries out in the wilderness into that “region of the Jordan River” (CEB). He is determined and passionate as he proclaims that everyone needs the work of salvation.

It is easy to lose sight of what bold and holy righteousness looks like today and to become complacent about how and where we share the good news. It takes people of faith to encourage others to come to know what genuine Christian experience is all about. To inspire others to live in the righteousness of Christ may require some of us to participate in church meetings, serve in worship, or call a prayer line. For others, those traditional means may not represent the most engaging path for revealing the presence and love of Christ, so they serve in other ways.

Without attention to the needs of those on the receiving end of our words, we will fail at following John’s lead. Too often Christians try to inspire without knowing the culture or understanding the background of those to whom they are speaking. We must remember that the wilderness in the regions of our present day are different, so our voices need new and exciting words and images to offer while we remain rooted in the gospel. There is unending joy to be spread, just as there is eternal truth to be told. This life in Christ is not an easy life, but it is a fulfilling life. People need honesty which touches the already-present realities rather than hiding the challenges we must face. For those we reach, our passion must be evident from our first encounter to the last.