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Has Religion Made You Better?, August 23
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas
they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works,
which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1
Peter 2:12
.
Whatever we are at heart will be revealed in character, and will have
an influence on all those with whom we associate. Our words, our actions,
are a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. And in the judgment we
shall be brought face to face with those whom we might have helped in
right, safe paths by choice words, by counsel, if we had daily connection
with God and a living, abiding interest in the saving of their souls.
The Christian should not be content to be merely an active man of
business. He should not be so absorbed in worldly affairs as to have
scarcely a spare moment or a thought for recreation or friendship, for the
good of others, for the culture of the mind, or the welfare of the soul.
Energy and diligence in business are commendable, but these should not
lead us to neglect that love for God and man which the Bible enjoins....
Our course in temporal matters, our conduct toward one another, is
commented upon with keenness and severity. What we say in the church
is not of so great consequence as our deportment in the home circle and
among our neighbors. The kindly word, the thoughtful act, true politeness
and hospitality, will constantly exert an influence in favor of the Christian
religion.
Let not the testimony be borne concerning any of us, “Religion has
made them no better. They are as self-indulgent, as worldly, as sharp
in trade, as ever.” All who bear such fruit scatter from Christ, instead of
gathering with Him. They place obstacles in the way of those whom they
might by a consistent course have won to Jesus. It is our duty as Christians
to give the world unmistakable evidence that we are obeying the great
commandment, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,” which is the
same as our Saviour’s golden rule, “Whatsoever ye would that men should
do to you, do ye even so to them.”
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