Daily Devotional for Tuesday, April 30

Be Respectful and Merciful

“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men,” 1 Thessalonians 5:15.

What would we be found doing if Jesus came back in this very instant? Of course, He always knows what we are doing, but let us step into our imagination momentarily. If Jesus came back and came to see you personally, would you be okay with that or would you be stammering out, “Wait, Lord, I can explain!”?

In this chapter, Paul not only provides some reassurance to the believers on the return of Jesus, but he also gives them some instructions for life. Paul wanted them not to be found acting in ways they ought not to be acting when Jesus comes back. There is a list of things, but today we are discussing one. In a nutshell, be nice. Be nice to the brethren, and also be nice to everyone else. That is what “all men” means.

As the end approaches, and most of us believe it is coming soon, we must be mindful of what we are up to. The imminent end is not our signal to circle the wagons against those we perceive as bad guys. The coming end is not our sign to withdraw ourselves from the world around us. God tells us in His Word that He desires all men to be saved. That should be your desire as well. When the end comes, do you really want to leave friends, loved ones and coworkers behind?

You should be reaching out to the world around you, and that does not mean reaching out to fight; it means reaching out with love and the message of salvation in Jesus Christ. Do good to all men, and tell them about Jesus in the process.

JUST A THOUGHT
We are told to be a peculiar people. Try being nice and kind. That is certainly peculiar in the world of today.

Wally Fry