Impacting Our Communities by Living the Way God Designed Us

What impact would we have in our cities, if we lived upright lives? This seems to be a fair question to ask and an appropriate one considering over 80% of those 16-29 year old view Christians as hypocrites. (See the research in the book unChristian for a penetrating look in how outsiders view Christians.)

Psalm 112 poetically chronicles the results of living upright lives. (one who fears the Lord and delights in His commandments.)

His kids will be pillars in the community and blessed. (v. 2)

He will prosper in the world. He will have a great marriage, kids, friends, and live a life of abundance, yet he will be remembered for his integrity, not his stuff. (v. 3)

He does the right thing even when he doesn't want to (v. 4)

People would describe him as gracious, merciful, and someone with integrity. (v. 4)

He is fair and impartial and uses money as tool to do good, rather than to hoard. (v. 5)

God is with him as his foot never slips. (v. 6)

He takes bad news in stride because his heart is buttressed by the Lord. He trust the Lord and does not lean on His own understanding, but in all his ways he acknowledges God, thus God will make his paths straight. (vv. 7-8)

He is a generous man always looking to give to those less fortunate than himself. (v. 9)

When he dies, he will be remembered for the uprightness in which he lived. (v. 3b, 6b, 9b)

He will be lifted up, greatly honored, and revered by everyone because of the life he lead. (v. 9c)


Would our cities, particularly those who view us as hypocrites, think differently about us if we lived a life described in this Psalm?

Would people want what we have just because the way we lived?

What will it take for our minds to be renewed and our desires to be changed in order us to live this type of life?

Could the way we live our lives be considered a part of being missional?

Would love your thoughts.