Walk The Way, Truth, Life, and Rejoice!

By Kamal I. Latham, Author of Your CEO Potential: Realizing Your Calling, Equipping, and Outcomes in Christ Jesus

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Jesus appointed 72 people to go before him into towns and places to speak peace, heal the sick, eat, drink, and talk about the kingdom of God, having already come near to that location. He called them to leave home and walk before people in the way, truth, and life he modeled.

When the 72 returned from their assignment with joy, they said to Jesus. “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ?I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” - Luke 10:17-20 (NIV).

After Jesus was crucified and resurrected, he proclaimed the Great Commission. He instructed his disciples to do the following: 1) go and make disciples of all nations; 2) baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and 3) teach them to obey everything he commanded. He also said he would be with them always, even to the very end of the age. – Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

The? Great Commission discussed in Matthew’s gospel was previewed in Luke’s gospel. Jesus gave essentially the same instructions to his disciples after resurrection as he did to the 72 people he sent out before resurrection.

Why is it important to understand this dynamic? It gives insight into what we are to do when we leave home (physically or virtually) and walk before people in the marketplace.

As disciples of Christ today, we are to represent him in our words and deeds and rejoice after engaging people through our jobs or businesses. However, we should not rejoice because we walked in authority and conquered a challenge such as high costs, lackluster revenue or operational inefficiency.?

We should rejoice because our conduct and character in business inspired people to connect with God and have their names written in heaven alongside ours.

Jesus told the 72 they would be sent out as lambs among wolves with limited resources and be rejected. Many of us either work in competitive industries, manage operations with budget constraints, or work with people who reject our leadership.

After the workday concludes, we should not rejoice because our power, intellect, or acumen decreased costs or increased revenue. We should rejoice because our interactions with people brought love and light into their world and caused them to seek the peace we possess.

As a former U.S. diplomat who worked overseas in China and France for 8 years, I learned firsthand what it meant to represent America and promote her economic interests in foreign nations.

Disciples of Christ are to be ambassadors of Christ and advance the interests of the kingdom in the marketplace.

While serving as a diplomat, I promoted U.S. businesses seeking access to competitive markets, worked with limited resources, and communicated American policy positions often rejected by foreign government officials.

After helping negotiate a $5 billion trade agreement between the U.S. and China, I rejoiced over my role in securing one of the largest trade deals in history. Years later, I realized the true measure of success was whether I inspired someone to know Christ while doing my job.

According to John 14:6, Jesus said he is way, the truth, and the life and that no one comes to Father God except through him. Jesus said “I and the Father are one” in John 10:30 (NIV), and 1 John 4:8 teaches that God is love.

When we connect these scriptures and reflect on how Jesus lived, we can conclude that Jesus modeled the way of love, the truth about love, and the life of love.?

In all of our ways, we must speak and act in a manner reflecting the character God. The way of love in doing business means being forgiving, patient, kind, humble, polite, optimistic, God-centered, truthful, hopeful, and persistent. It is not about being manipulative, impatient, mean, or greedy.

The truth about love is this: it is about God and not us. Every skill and ability we have to create value in the marketplace is to bring God glory and inspire people to know him.

Put God first in everything and priorities will always be clear. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

The life of love means walking how Jesus walked and giving up our life for his. Doing business his way, rather than our way, is better. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” – Matthew 16:24-26 (NLT)

No career or entrepreneurial endeavor is worth more than your soul. However, your soul will rejoice when your actions in the marketplace reflect God and draw people to him.

God has called you to go into the world of work or field of business equipped with his Holy Spirit and Holy Word to have great outcomes.

Walk the way, truth, and life modeled by Jesus and fill the world with his love and joy.

You can reach Kamal at [email protected].

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