Have you ever known someone who had to be right all the time, someone who always had to get the last word, someone who believed being loud was the same as being persuasive? They are not very fun to be around. And when describing them the first words that come to mind are rarely kind. These people are hard to get along with, even when (sometimes) we are those exact people.
If you are a follower of Jesus, then your call is to do your best to imitate the life and work of Christ. Jesus embodied love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I think on my very best days I might hit two of those. Yet every day in the news, on social media, and face to face we see people—who would outwardly claim to cling to the cross of Jesus—look at those traits like a list of weaknesses.
Why is it so hard to follow the example of Jesus? Why is it so easy to look at sinful choices and call them “Christian?” Jesus called on you because he loved you and wanted you to be different. Jesus called on you because he wants you to bring his message of hope into the world.
James the brother of Jesus says it this way in James 3:13-18, “Who is wise and understanding among you? By their good conduct let them show their works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Is the wisdom with which you interact with the world coming from above or from your own heart? It is not easy to see sometimes.