“Life In The Crosshairs” (Part 1)

Those who serve Christ in public ministry live in the “crosshairs”—almost as if we are being scrutinized from the other end of a sniper rifle. The fact is that we are always being watched by the world and by other believers. The need to embrace the responsibility to live a life that is circumspect, that is, able to be watched and scrutinized—to live an observable life. Paul spoke of this when he wrote, “See then that you walk circumspectly (lit.: “looking around”), not as fools but as wise” (Eph. 5:15)—why? Because we are being watched. Because, right or wrong, people who know us as people of faith have expectations of what that should look like.

In the 2004 movie “The Alamo,” Davy Crockett tells Jim Bowie, “People expect things… If it was just me, old David from Tennessee, I might slip over that wall and take my chances—but that Davy Crockett fella, he’s been on this wall every day of his life. People expect things.”

It’s true. People expect things—and they are watching to see if we will live up to those expectations. If we are to live lives that will stand up to the scrutiny of a watching world, how do we do that? Paul offers counsel as he writes to the church at Corinth a letter that deals heavily with their failures to properly represent the Savior. He closes by offering a strategy for living in the crosshairs—for living an “observable life.”

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Cor. 16:13-14)

Today, we look at the first chunk of that challenge with:

Be On The Alert

Almost all the commentaries I checked viewed this as thoroughly negative—danger to be avoided. Yet, while an element of danger exists, I believe it is not merely negative. The negative dangers are counterbalanced by the reality of positive opportunity in Paul’s challenge. We must be alert to:

• Our Spiritual Enemy- wants to destroy. 1 Peter 5:8 reminds us “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”)
• The Watching World- needs to see in us a reason to believe. Gandhi said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” If that charge can be laid at our feet, we are not honoring the Christ we name and claim.
• Young Believers- need to have an example to follow.

As believers we have a two-edged sword—the sword of responsibility and opportunity. As Christ’s ambassadors in the world, we have the privilege of living for Him in a way that honors His grace. We must be alert to the impact of our conduct—as well as the opportunity to display Christ.

On Tuesday, we will see more insights from Paul to help us live for Christ in the crosshairs.