So Be Good for Goodness’ Sake

What do you think of Amish people?

Just a few years ago, an Amish community suffered a terrible tragedy. What was demonstrated by the residents was forgiveness, togetherness, and integrity. The world watched and mourned with them, albeit from a distance, as they sought no particular glory for themselves. The world’s opinion of them, in general, is that they are “good people.”

Of key words mentioned as the fruit of the spirit, the middle three are “longsuffering/patience, gentleness, goodness.” In reading news from Christianity in recent days, I wonder if these aren’t being forgotten. Frankly, it seems that theologically conservative Christians are involved in a war among the ranks.

The Bible certainly encourages beleivers to stand for truth, correct error, and to “test the spirits” and be discerning of false teaching. But do we do such things in a right spirit? Or do we, with James and John, wish to call down the thunder on those with whom we disagree?

I’ve been guilty in the past, and there is probably much evidence of that within the hundreds of past posts on this blog, but I want to be reformed, re-shaped, and redefined.

The bottom line is, we’re becoming less popular all the time. The public image of evangelicalism is in trouble. If it’s for the gospel, so be it. But if it’s because our spirits are not in line with that of Jesus, God forgive and reform us, and start with me.

Ghandi has been quoted as saying, “I like your Jesus, just not your Christians.” Ouch. Maybe we have a tendency to hand the world around us the ammunition with which they can take shots at us.

I don’t have all the answers, and it’s very tough to find the balance. I just know that I have a renewed vision for evangelical Christianity and it is that the world, when asked, has confidence that we are “good people.” And this will only happen as the product of the Spirit’s work within our hearts.

photo credit: Darcy Johnson