In life, we find that when we associate with people we are held to a code of conduct. Different groups might have different sets of standards. Whether we like or not, certain people are held to a higher standard. An excellent example of this is athletes. These people did not ask to be role models. Yet any indiscretion they commit instantly becomes national news. People will decry their practices, even if they have made the same mistake themselves. In the Marines, they show this higher standard by having a criminal charge of “Conduct Unbecoming a Marine.” By the very nature of their position, and who they represent, they are told they must act a certain way. To not do so is a disgrace to the uniform they wear and the country they serve. Read the rest of this entry »

In the New Testament, when authors speak of humility, it goes hand in hand with submission. A great example of this is found in James, where he talks about God giving grace to the humble. Because of that, James says, we need to submit to God (James 4:6-7). This is helpful because it shows us a way to recognize arrogance. Arrogance is typified by a lack of submission. We may show arrogance by demanding that everything be done our way. Our way is of course the best. We may also demand that things be done in a way that benefits us. Our benefit is the key to any operation we take part in. Read the rest of this entry »

Those who brag are seeking to elevate themselves. Their goal is to show a superiority over those who they are interacting with. This superiority may be just to help them feel better about themselves. It may be to try to convince others to do their bidding. Another reason people brag is so that others will recognize and acknowledge (or even praise) their primacy. Whatever the reason, this self-proclamation goes against loving others. It is instead degrading them. The entire point of bragging is to show the other’s inadequacy: if these other people were truly capable, they would be able to do what the braggart can. Read the rest of this entry »

Some of life’s best lessons are learned through watching children. A young child has a group of toys out. He plays with one or two of them and casually ignores the others. Yet if another kid enters the room and starts playing with one of the ignored toys, the first child immediately grabs that toy and claims possession of it. He did not care about it before, but now he has to have it himself. He does not worry about what he does not have until he sees that someone else has it. This trait, so easily seen in young ones, can crop up in our own lives. Read the rest of this entry »

Kindness is many times very small. You can show kindness by smiling as you pass by somebody. You show it when you help someone pick up a dropped item. You can hold a door open for someone. It is expressed in a greeting. Another form is giving directions to someone who is lost. Kindness can also be big. It may be helping someone with a flat tire. One might offer a ride to a stranded friend. Those who bring dinner to the sick or shut-ins are being kind. Kindness comes in all different forms. It is basically just showing care and concern for another person. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the fundamental aspects of love is patience. Surely none of us would have made it out of childhood without the love of our parents and the patience that goes with it. My poor parents had to deal with years of me asking why. Any mundane task, any command given, and any passing fancy I had caused me to ask them the question, “Why?” Even when given an explanation, I would ask the question again. There was no end to it. Even if that was my only fault as a child, it still would have taken extreme patience. The fact that I had many other traits that were just as annoying shows the only reason I am alive today is the patience that comes from the love of a parent. Read the rest of this entry »

Paul talks here about one of the fundamental aspects of love. It is important for us as Christians to deeply care about those around us. We may be tempted to keep our distance from others. We want to let them deal with their own problems. Instead we focus on ourselves and what we are dealing with. Yet for the Christian, we need to be interconnected. We need to be of the same mind, especially with others from the church. And that requires for us to know what is going on in their life. We cannot keep this command if we do not know when they are rejoicing or weeping. Read the rest of this entry »

A friend of mine from Brazil and I were going to Wal-Mart. Walking through the parking lot, we came to the section in front of the store with the crossing lines. I confidently strode forward, even though a car was coming. She hesitated, but seeing that the car had indeed stopped, she went ahead and followed my lead. “You Americans are crazy. If you did that in Brazil, you would have died. They don’t slow down,” she said. I quickly replied about having the right of way. “The right of way doesn’t do you much good if they run you over.” Read the rest of this entry »

2 Timothy 2:4

preach the word; be ready in season {and} out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

     Nobody enjoys being told they are wrong. It is never a fun experience. Even when someone is wanting constructive criticism, it is hard on them because they want the criticism to be, “There is nothing you need to change! That was perfect.” They want others to be honest with them, but they want that honesty to be nothing but praise. While that is wonderful when that actually comes about, it is not always the case.

     The very thing that makes taking criticism so hard is what makes it so valuable. We tend to think of ourselves as always right. If we thought what we were doing was wrong, we probably would not do it. We hope to think of ourselves as competent in everything we are doing. When someone tells us that we are not  what we think of ourselves, we want to protest. Even if we see what they are saying, it is a painful realization and we do not enjoy it in the slightest.

      As Christians, it is our responsibility to have these hard conversations with people when they are sin. While it will be a difficult experience and they may not enjoy, it is a conversation that is needed. When people view themselves as righteous when they are really not, their souls are in considerable jeopardy. A true brother or sister will help them see the error of their ways, even if it may cost them the relationship. In doing so, they show those they are correcting true love.

preach the word; be ready in season {and} out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

Psalm 34:14

Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

     The news world today wants a story. They want bad things to happen. They desire controversy. It is with these negative things that people will read or watch the news and opinions they provide. You can see how this could be dangerous. There would be a temptation to make an issue bigger than it actually is or to ruffle feathers more than is necessary. Failing enough newsworthy events, people in the news exaggerate because it gets them noticed. More notice means more money, and the news is definitely a business.

     Some people are like news stations. They create drama in their life. Instead of pursuing peace they sometimes take a secret delight in causing a commotion. It may be boredom that causes them to act this way. Others do so because they are miserable and want other people to be as well. Another group does it because it is fun. There are many reasons why people do it, but we see that often times people start a stir where there never even had to be a ripple.

     We must always guard against this mindset. Instead of trying to stir up trouble, we need to be people who make peace. We need to reassure people that things are okay in times of trials.  We need to speak words of kindness and gentleness so that we invoke comfort instead of strife. As much as relies on us, we need to take the initiative to be peaceable. We want other people to feel comfortable and safe around us. We should pray for wisdom and love so that can say and do the right things in our every day lives.

Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.