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Editor's Journey

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What do your neighbors think of you?

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. –– If a survey were conducted of our neighbors, hopefully they would describe us as ...

· Generous

· Gracious

· Helpful

· Humble

· Honest

And hopefully they wouldn’t use words such as ...

· Greedy

· Unfriendly

· Self-centered

· Arrogant

· Phony

Having a good reputation among our neighbors is important because it directly influences their openness to the gospel. Most likely they won’t listen to what we have to say about Jesus if we rub them the wrong way.

I remember one believer who planted a large sign in his front yard.  It read, “Repent — or die in hell.”  His motive was pure and his message scriptural, but his method needed refinement. His neighbors felt his condemnation but didn’t sense his love.    

Luke 10:27 says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” A good reputation in the community must be earned through compassion, friendliness and generosity. Perhaps now is a good time to do something nice for your neighbors — to let them know Jesus loves them and you do, too.

Hal Donaldson

E-mail your comments to tpe@ag.org.