Positive Intent, Know Your Impact
by Tammy Iund Woodard
Criticize
Judgement
Offense
Condemnation
Aren’t those fun words? I write this blog with a bit of a heavy heart because I feel like these are the only words I can find to describe the world I live in right now. But God! God always has the biggest BUT!
I actually find so much hope in Romans 14. I know, that probably sounds crazy. I am a direct, straightforward person. I deal with people directly and I like folks to do the same with me. I feel like I can sum up Romans 14 this way: stop it! Just STOP IT! Yep, that’s it. Chapter done, blog written.
Ok, well let me elaborate a little more. I have worked in public education for almost 30 years. We often throw around the phrase: “assume positive intent”. That means when you are sitting in a meeting with someone, you need to assume that whatever they are sharing is coming from a heart of goodness. You can “digest” a message much easier, and even overlook the delivery, if you will assume positive intent. It can be tough. Unless a person has given you definitive evidence that they are out to hurt you, you can assume positive intent.
Now here’s the other side of the “assume positive intent” coin and that is “know your impact”. We often miss this one unfortunately. Assume positive intent is the responsibility of the receiver of the message, know your impact is the responsibility of the giver of the message. Romans 14 covers both sides of the coin. Paul is admonishing us to not go around “spewing” the message and being careless about knowing our impact on others. Romans 14:10 “So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” Paul also covers assuming positive intent in Romans 14:14 “I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong.”
A relationship with Jesus is a very personal entity. Just like every marriage relationship is different. Of course, there are some basic fundamentals that are all the same - both in marriage and in our relationship with Christ. Ephesians 2:8-10 states, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Salvation itself is a work of grace by Jesus. Our part comes in Philippians 2:12, “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.” We work out our salvation in our relationship with Jesus.
So I guess I could sum up Romans 14 with a few more words:
Assume positive intent of your fellow believers.
Know your impact when you’re sharing the gospel and your relationship with Jesus.
AND JUST STOP IT!! (ok that last part was me) :)
If we can do these things then we can Romans 12:18, “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
Call to Action
Pray, read and reflect on these verses this week.
Romans 14
Corinthians 3:17
Romans 6:23
1 John 1:9
John 10:10
Ephesians 2:10
Reflection
Is it hard for you to assume positive intent from others?
What area in your life (or a specific relationship) might you need to focus more on knowing your own impact?
What does “working out your own salvation” mean to you?
