I had my annual sibling get-together this past month. This time we met at a cottage in Michigan, and we had a great time. One of my favorite activities is our devotion time. Each sibling (and their spouse, if they can attend) comes up with a passage from the Bible that speaks to them, and they offer some God-given insights to the verses. My brother’s verse was Proverbs 14:31 “He who oppresses (suppress, harass, mistreats) the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Their church has started an outreach for the homeless and those in the community that are struggling financially. They are helping with feeding the families, finding jobs for those who are able to work, and interacting with them as a friend – not expecting anything in return. A simple kindness that honors God. But he pointed out that every human being has been created in God’s image: the Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites, those with tattoos and piercings, those who speak differently than I do, the smelly, and the clean. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. The Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, and the Charismatics. Those who are gay, straight, or transgender. All are God’s image-bearers and if I ridicule, look down upon, or mistreat them, I am showing hatred towards God. Wow, that is harsh language! This does not mean I agree with them on everything, but it does mean I am to love them! The blood of Jesus was shed for every person in the world and Gods heart is for all to be saved. John 3:17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved”. John 13:34, 35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Will people know we are Christians by our actions as well as our words?