Be a Positive Influence

Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

Paul closes his final letter to the Corinthians with a call to live faithfully and be a positive influence. This was a challenge for them back then, and it’s a challenge for us now. Living faithfully and having positive influence on the world around us involves both personal growth and outward impact.

Be joyful… Scripture emphasizes joy because it allows an inner peace that makes connection with the Holy Spirit possible. Joyful emotions positively influence our physical health by reducing stress and boosting our immune system. Joyfulness contributes to our mental health by reducing anxiety and depression and helping us maintain a positive outlook on life. Without apparent joy, what kind of influence does a Christ-follower have on the world around them?

Grow to maturity… As we mature, we gain a deeper understanding of God’s Kingdom and purposes. We begin to align more with God’s will. Our characteristics also become a bit more like Christ’s and we begin to reflect His nature in our lives. Being a positive influence on the world around us is all about showing people who Jesus really is.

Encourage each other and live in harmony and peace… We’re supposed to put ourselves in communal positions that provide opportunities for us to connect and encourage others as they do the same with us. It’s as if it is our Christian duty to be intentional about creating meaningful moments with others.

How can you be a positive influence?