How do we reflect God?
“Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:1-6
MIRRORING THE LOVE OF CHRIST JESUS
The way we treat others is one of the truest tests of our Christian commitment. How we treat people from day to day is a clear indication of our reverence for Christ. Can we love the stranger ? Do we extend the hand of love to the sin-scarred in our midst? When we speak or act, is it done with love in mind?
WHAT LOVE WILL OVERCOME:
- Self-righteousness: No one is perfect; we are all sinners in our own ways. If we treat people we consider to be “sinners” with scorn, or think we are better than they are, we are guilty of the sin of self-righteousness and we push people away. That is not what Jesus died for.
- Judging others: This is one of the hardest sins to avoid because it is so much easier to see other people’s faults than to see our own faults. But judgment of a person’s character must be left to God. Rather than look for faults in others, we should look for the good in others and try to correct the faults within ourselves. Rather than criticizing other people, we should concentrate on living holy lives, ourselves.
Love and Humility: When the Christ in us speaks and acts, love abounds.
It is the opposite of scorn, arrogance and exaggerated pride. It enables us to put others first, to meet them where they are. Jesus Christ wants us to love others and humble ourselves. Why? Love and humility are vital, both for the Christian community and our world at large, in order to live in peace and harmony with all persons.
Care for the widows and orphans, visit the prisoners, show hospitality to the stranger and love your enemy: Let the Love of Christ abound in your life!
How will you meet and greet the people that God has placed before you?
Take the time to think about all the people you come in contact with during a day – and consider how God wants you to treat them.
Mirror Christ!
Lord Jesus, Help me to meet and greet the people that You have placed before me with Love. I want to reflect Your Saving Grace!
