Friday; April 27

Are Christians good people? That may sound like an odd question – especially to those of us who profess to be Christians. I mean, doesn’t everyone like us and respect us? Well, if we listen to some members of the community, there are people who don’t really think much of people they perceive to be Christians. It is easy to dismiss these types of people as doubters – but maybe we should take a second look. Could their objections be based on at least of hint of truth? No, not all Christians are jerks, but I think many of us can do a better job of endearing ourselves to others – especially those who don’t know us very well. How do we do that? The New Testament gives us a formula: “Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.” (I Peter 2:17). Let’s take a closer look:

1. Honor all people. If we hope to be taken spiritually serious, we need to respect people. Not just the people we agree with or those we like. Christians treat others civilly.

2. Love the brotherhood. Can we expect to be valued by outsiders if we don’t get along with each other? Before we can have peace in the word, we need to work on unity in the church.

3. Fear God. Too often people see better than they hear. It doesn’t matter what we profess if we aren’t going to be obedient to God’s commands.

4. Honor the king. Society will find it hard to take us seriously if we constantly disparaging government. No, we don’t have to agree with all the decisions that come out of government houses; but we don’t endear ourselves by taking pot-shots at community leaders.

Let’s do our best to be our best. When we do that we will be more apt to make an impression on the people around us.

Think About It!

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