Ephesians 4:31-32
Stop being mean, bad-tempered,
and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no
place in your lives. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong
to Christ.
The Living
Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission
of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All
rights reserved.
Greg and I often watch an
episode of “Andy Griffith” or “M*A*S*H” while we are having dinner.
These old television shows are a welcome respite from the arguing and
name-calling that is front and center on today’s main-stream dinner-hour
“news” programs.
Andy Griffith has a knack for resolving conflicts
and solving problems with tact and sensibility. “Colonel Potter” and
others get riled up…but you can sense the love and care behind their
words and actions – and their desire to uphold what is right and good
among the ranks.
Every day, I grow more aware of how important it
is for us to choose our words and actions carefully. We have grown so
comfortable with harsh words, anger and a mean-spirited attitude that we
don’t even blink when discussions become heated. I’m all for free
speech, but the comments that fly on social media and in circles of
friends and acquaintances border at times on the disgusting…and are at
best, quite disturbing.
I’m left to wonder what God must think.
He sacrificed so much to give us Jesus…to free us from sin and bind us
to Him forever. And this is how we repay His generosity? Imagine for
just a moment if Jesus had hung on the cross and cursed His murderers.
What if He had pronounced them to be idiots…morons…and other names that I
cannot suggest. Suppose Jesus had looked toward Heaven and said,
“Father, get me outta here and away from these horrible people. They’ve
hurt me, and I’m done!” How many of us would want to follow a “savior”
like that?
Now think about your own life…the things you say and
do each day…the posts you share on social media…the comments you make
about people with whom you disagree. How do YOU react when someone
speaks harshly or unkindly toward you or someone you care about? How do
you treat people with whom you disagree – socially, spiritually, or
politically? Do you give others ANY reason to serve the same Jesus that
you say you serve? Or do you hide behind the cross and claim
the name of Jesus Christ while treating others with anything but grace
and mercy?
I want so badly to ensure those who may be “on the
fence” about Jesus that the people who act so horribly do not represent
true Christian faith – or my Savior. If YOU are someone who is
wondering whether a life in Christ is for you, let me assure you that
there is no better place to surrender your heart. We don’t all operate
in hatred, name calling, quarreling, discrimination, arrogance and
disdain for others. We aren’t all self-centered and egotistical
“children” who continually look for how Jesus can benefit US over the
other guy.
I hope you have looked carefully at those in your
midst who try to be faithful, obedient servants of Christ. I hope you
find His grace, mercy, forgiveness and acceptance in our every word and
action…that we don’t have to TELL you how the Holy Spirit lives in our
hearts, because you can observe it firsthand in our daily living. I
pray that you will not judge all Christians…and Jesus…by those who
misrepresent Him with their own brand of “witness.” And I pray that
those who are claiming Jesus while judging and mistreating others will
be reminded that because we are forgiven through the blood of Christ, we
are called to forgive others and treat them as He does.
On the
website, A-Z Quotes*, I found two that were attributed to Andy
Griffith. In the first one, he says…”Mornin' ladies, my goodness don't
you look happy. Must be cuttin' somebody up pretty good.” The second
one sums up Griffith’s philosophy on life…”Well, do a good day's work
and act like somebody.” On IMDb.com**, I found an interesting quote from
the television show M*A*S*H. The obnoxious character Frank Burns says…”I wonder if
I can say something useful?” Fellow surgeon, Trapper, replies…”I often
wonder that too, Frank.”
My prayer is that we would be known for
saying something useful…for doing a good day’s work and acting like
somebody – a child of the Most High God! I pray that we would seek
redemption in the blood of Jesus Christ…and act each and every minute of
the day like we’ve received it. Can YOU say something useful? When
others look at you, Who do they really see? Do you give others a reason to surrender to Jesus and serve Him? Isn’t it time you did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
*http://AZQuotes.com
**http://IMDb.com
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