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Acknowledging
Christ at Work
by
Patty Benton
http://actatwork.com
Every day in the United States, we continue to take steps to further
separate Christ from our daily lives. Yet in looking at the statistics,
the majority of the citizens in the United States are Christians. Why
then, are the words of the minority listened to and made laws, as if they
were the word of the majority? What effect do these cries of the minority
have to do with Christians in the business world? What can we, as
Christians in the business world, do to counteract this tide of
separation?
If we advertise as Christian businesses and express our faith openly in
our business communication, we come under fire. Why would anyone want to
advertise this way, with the potential to endure persecution as is
foretold in the Bible?1 Why, because we are instructed by the
Lord, “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do
it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him.”2 For “if anyone
serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all
things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”3
Are you ready to make the choice to be public about your faith, knowing
that eventually you could befall criticism and anger from the secular
world?
We must recognize that it is God building our businesses or our careers.
Because of Him, because everything exists through His mercy and His
graces, you have a career to be proud of, a family to love and a home with
food on the table.4
How, as Christian business owners or Christians in the workforce, do we
stand proud and tall under the criticism? Faith! The Bible tells us “do
not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is
not yours, but God's.”5
Recently, in one of my networking groups, while discussing something not
at all related to faith or religion, I was put on the battlefield for
Christ with this direct quote, ”Why would the fact that they are a
‘Christian’ company have anything to do with the quality of their
secretarial or virtual assistant work? Or, for that matter, make them
better ‘coaches’?” How many times have you heard comments similar to this
in your business or at work? I personally do not proclaim that my skills
are better than the next person’s in my professional field. What I do
proclaim is that every part of my business is built on God. When I have
a satisfied client, God gets the glory, not me, because I am just doing as He instructed in the Bible.3
Is it a person’s
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choice to decide
if they want to work with a Christian company? Absolutely! Every
individual has a choice, but that does not mean Christian business owners
have to hide Who they place their faith in or attribute their successes
to.
Have you heard the following, “Religion is a personal thing, it does not
belong in government or in business?” Look at the history of our country
and you will see that our country was built on the belief of God and
religious freedom. Look at our Pledge of Allegiance, “…one nation, under
God...” Yet our children are not allowed to pray in school, and we are
told to be quiet when we proclaim God’s blessings for our businesses. Why
is this? It is because the majority of Christians have not walked as God
has told us to, and now we have let the secular world take charge! Is God
a part of business and government? Absolutely! Look at our history
starting with the Bible and working up to and past the foundation of our
great country!
So what can you take away from this? Put your foot down and stop letting
the secular businesses tell us that we need to leave our Christian lives
in our personal lives, and not bring it into our businesses. Stand proud
as a Christian. Don’t just save it for Sunday. Be a bright, blinding light
for Him every day of the week. Put on your armor. Satan will be
frightened, and for this reason, he will retaliate against you. Remember,
it is not you fighting this battle, but God.5 The Bible tells
us that it is not easy but “we must go through many hardships to enter the
kingdom of God.”6 Are you prepared to fight? Or will you
continue to hide?
I encourage every Christian business owner to stand up and proudly
proclaim the glory and success of your business as His, Almighty God’s!
Patty Benton is the co-founder of
Acknowledging Christ Together (A.C.T.) at Work,
www.actatwork.com, a Christian
organization established to support Christians in their walk with the Lord
at work. She is also the co-owner of JERPAT Virtual Assistants and
JERPAT Web Designs, www.moretime4u.org,
a company that offers a variety of administrative and design service.
Additionally, Patty is the founder and coach of JERPAT VA Coaching,
www.virtualvacoach.com, an
affordable, alternative coaching program to help new and established
virtual assistants set-up and grow their businesses and is co-owner of
Virtual Business Group
www.virtualbizgroup.com an online networking organization for Virtual
Professionals. She is a member
of Living Hope Baptist Church,
www.livinghopebaptist.net, and a faithful servant of the Lord!
Verse references
used in this article:
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Hebrew 10: 32-34
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Colossians 3:17
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1 Peter 4:11
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Hebrews 2:10
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II Chronicles
20:15
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Acts 14:22
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