The beginning of the year is a good time for most people to clean up their act. We make resolutions, clean up our drawers and closets and try to get out as much junk as possible so as to have a fresh start. Reminds me of the story of one country merchant who once visited the great city. The thing that impressed him most was the magnificent and spotless display windows. On his return home he immediately cleaned up his unused display window and made it so attractive that he was soon doing nearly all the business in his town. Instead of failing in business, as he had at one time feared, he became the richest merchant of his county.
The display window of the Christian is most important. It has to be attractive, but it must represent the truth; it must show that which can be produced in the storehouse.
James 3:13-16
13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honourable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kinds of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.
What is the state of your display window as we begin the New Year? Is it clear enough for people to see what Christ is doing in you or is it filled with cobwebs dust and broken things? What are you displaying? Many times we do not display what we are announcing. We like to present ourselves to be better that we actually are and our tongues do not really represent what is in our hearts.
We have openly stated to the world that we are born again and many know what that means so when they walk up to our display window there are certain things that they are expecting to find. Will they find them?
As you set your goals for the New Year, I hope one of them will be to clean up your display window and to put up a truthful wonderful display for all to clearly see what the Lord is doing in your life and that through what they see, their lives will be forever changed.
Practical Application
Now you have stated to the world that you are wise, that you possess wisdom, namely, Jesus Christ and His Spirit. Then show it by your good conduct.
