They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. Once you read that book however, you are better able to evaluate it. We are all living epistles of Christ known and read of all men. (2Cor. 3:2,3) That means the people around us are reading us (continually in every setting and situation they find us in), and they will evaluate us based on our love, (John ), fruit (Luke ) and all our other actions, words, ethics, integrity, behaviours, and so on- just like we evaluate them!
Our love will be proven not just in our words, but in our actions- and people will usually feel if it is genuine. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control (Gal. ,23 ASV) in all goodness and righteousness and truth; (Eph. 5:9) That’s a lot to live up to, yet it should be what we strive for as we live in intimacy with God. Here are more writings about early Christians:
Lucius M. Piso 201 to 300 AD
“But these Christians seem to be a harmless people.” (undamaging, safe)
“But they have no religion that anybody can call such. They have no gods, nor altars, nor sacrifices; such can never be harmless…However all this may be, there seems to be some charm about them or their worship, for all the world is running after them….
They had ever impressed me as a simple-minded, virtuous community, of notions too subtle and spiritual for the world ever to receive, but which upon themselves appeared to exert a power altogether beneficial. Many of this faith I had known well, and they were persons to excite my highest admiration for the characters which they bore…
Lactantius 240-320 AD
“If we all derive our origin from one man, whom God created, we are plainly all of one family. Therefore it must be considered an abomination to hate another human, no matter how guilty he may be. For this reason, God has decreed that we should hate no one, but that we should eliminate hatred. So we can comfort our enemies by reminding them of our mutual relationship. For if we have all been given life from the same God, what else are we but brothers? ... Because we are all brothers, God teaches us to never do evil to one another, but only good—giving aid to those who are oppressed and experiencing hardship, and giving food to the hungry.”
In the third century the plague swept across the ancient world. Christians were predominantly the ones to care for the sick risking catching the plague themselves. Others would go so far as to throw newly infected family members into the street to protect themselves from infection.*
There was an actor who went to the church elders (1) to see if he should quit his job since it was full unholy practices. They advised the man to quit and he did. Upon asking the elders ‘above’ them (2) what were the man’s next steps since he had no other skills, the elders (2) said to make sure the man had enough money to live, and if they (elders 1) couldn’t provide for him, then send him to the elders (2) and they would take care of him. In other words, elders (2) were willing to care for a total stranger- another believer- for an undetermined length of time.**
Recap:
True Christians were a harmless people. (Do not cause damage, are safe)
There were appealing somehow for all the world runs after them.
They were virtuous. (honourable, moral, righteous, honest)
They bore a power. (Hmm… Holy Spirit power?)
They aroused admiration for their character. (nature, temperament, personality, disposition, spirit)
They considered ALL humans as God created and worthy of treatment as a brother giving aid and food.
They chose not to hate, and comforted their enemies.
*They put their own lives at risk to help others.
**They made sure all brothers were taken care of.
Which of these statements (and those in the previous two posts) would the world make of you?
I can't answer for you because I'm busy looking through the lists at me!