The life of Christ was an ever-widening shoreless influence, an influence that played a tremendous part in moulding the character of his immediate followers, and will have a vital effect upon our life today. Even His very presence meant power to those surrounding Him; not the power that came from physical strength, not the power that came from his ability to perform miracles, but the power that came from his character, his words, his thoughtfulness—even his kindly look. This was the all-pervading influence that radically changed the lives of his disciples and which will also change our lives, that we in turn may be a power for good in our influence upon others.
Through our relationship with Jesus and his brethren we are invested with an influence that makes it impossible for any of us to live unto himself. We are all surrounded by an atmosphere of our own: an atmosphere it may be, charged with the life-giving power and warmth of faith, courage, hope and joy; or it may be heavy and chill with the gloom of discontent and selfishness, or poisonous with the deadly taint of complaint and criticism. By the atmosphere surrounding us, every one with whom we come in contact is consciously affected.
This is a responsibility which we take upon ourselves when we elect to follow Christ, and from which we cannot free ourselves. Our words, our acts, our countenance, every fibre of our being reflects an influence, the result of which could never be measured–either for good or for evil. The impression we leave upon others, cannot be withdrawn, even as the pebble thrown into the lake produces a ripple which extends outwards; so the circle widens, and the effects of our influence broadens until it reaches we know not where.
Character is power. The silent witness of a true, unselfish, Christlike life carries an almost irresistible influence for good. But it should never be forgotten that influence is no less a power for evil. Jesus said, “Take heed that ye offend not one of these”. It will be a fearful experience in the great day when we stand before the Judge of all the earth to be told that by our influence we caused even one to lose hope or become discouraged; yet it is more than a possibility. There are some we know who have fallen by the wayside, who have lost heart and hope, which can be attributed either directly or indirectly to wrong influence. Many indulge too freely in criticism and accusing, and sometimes ridicule, forgetting that these are seeds sown, casting doubts in the minds of others, and giving expression to suspicion, confusion and discontent. These can take root in the heart of someone who is perhaps struggling to hold fast, producing distrust and finally a turning away from the path of life.
Thus the influence of each one becomes a “savour of life unto life or death unto death”. It can save or it can destroy; it can produce joy or it can produce sorrow; it can promote hope or it can promote despair; and it is with us every moment of our waking hours. Our influence is not something which we do or don’t do. It is there all the time. Whether we speak or remain silent, whether we smile or frown, whether we obey or disobey, whether we do right or wrong, our influence is ever present: a silent witness to all, a pervading atmosphere, which vitally affects for good or for evil all with whom we come in contact.
The beloved Apostle was not ashamed of the influence he had upon others. “Be ye followers of me”, he said, “even as I also am of Christ”. In turn that must become our prayer. As we look more and more unto Jesus, we become influenced by his character, by his words, by his actions, by his silence before Pilate, by the quiet look he gave Peter, by his prayerful vigil in Gethsemane . . .and, in beholding, we are changed, that in turn we also may influence others.
Influence is a God-given endowment. It may be our one talent. By this we serve, every moment—silently but surely. By this our true selves are revealed, and by this we either honour or dishonour the Name we bear.
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay