Last night I was sharing some frustrations with a friend at church. He shook his head and made this comment, "Well, when people don't know Christ that's how they live." It really made me stop and think. Because I attempt to live by the ten commandments and treat others the way they want to be treated, I expect everyone else to do so the same. But they DON'T. And if Christ is not the center of their life, why should I expect them to be a decent person? If there is no reason for a person to love others as much as they love themselves like Christ commanded, then why should I be so surprised when they act selfishly? George W. Bush, even though he has faults, addresses this very thing in his autobiography. He started reading the Bible, not because he was curious about God at the time, but because he recognized it provided a good roadmap for a healthy society. And in times of devastation, I recognize just how true that is.
If we lived in a society where people recognized a higher power, family and friends attempting to help loved ones and neighbors would not be turned away from disaster sites. People would be allowed to freely come and help, and there would be no concern from state troopers and national guardsmen that you might be coming to loot unprotected sites.
If we lived in a society where people practiced God's word and treated each person as a brother and sister in Christ, employees would not feel like their life was worthless. They would not be reprimanded for seeking shelter during a tornado, nor told to "return to work" instead of being taken to a hospital after injuries.
If we lived our lives truly seeking to please God and him alone, Christians would not worry about which church is providing supplies. If you already have places open and operating relief efforts and there's truly not a need for another place, why create one just so your church's name can be out there? Pride, pure and simple. (and my accolades go to Cordova on this one: the high school is hosting FEMA, cooking for the town, and distributing toiletry items, the Church of Christ, closest to the destroyed houses, is handling clothing, and Cordova FWB, closest to downtown, is now handling meals for workers).
If we lived in a society that exercised the principles of James and Proverbs and controlled our tongues, there would not be uncontrollable rumors of deaths or events that didn't happen (22 deaths in Cordova when the county coroner only reports 14 for the whole county...really people?)
And if I truly loved people the way Christ did/does, I would have much more patience and understanding, a lot more consideration and kindness, and a wonderfully, healthy attitude. Thankfully, his mercies are new EVERY morning. And that is good indeed.
If we lived in a society where people recognized a higher power, family and friends attempting to help loved ones and neighbors would not be turned away from disaster sites. People would be allowed to freely come and help, and there would be no concern from state troopers and national guardsmen that you might be coming to loot unprotected sites.
If we lived in a society where people practiced God's word and treated each person as a brother and sister in Christ, employees would not feel like their life was worthless. They would not be reprimanded for seeking shelter during a tornado, nor told to "return to work" instead of being taken to a hospital after injuries.
If we lived our lives truly seeking to please God and him alone, Christians would not worry about which church is providing supplies. If you already have places open and operating relief efforts and there's truly not a need for another place, why create one just so your church's name can be out there? Pride, pure and simple. (and my accolades go to Cordova on this one: the high school is hosting FEMA, cooking for the town, and distributing toiletry items, the Church of Christ, closest to the destroyed houses, is handling clothing, and Cordova FWB, closest to downtown, is now handling meals for workers).
If we lived in a society that exercised the principles of James and Proverbs and controlled our tongues, there would not be uncontrollable rumors of deaths or events that didn't happen (22 deaths in Cordova when the county coroner only reports 14 for the whole county...really people?)
And if I truly loved people the way Christ did/does, I would have much more patience and understanding, a lot more consideration and kindness, and a wonderfully, healthy attitude. Thankfully, his mercies are new EVERY morning. And that is good indeed.
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