and what it says about ministry today
by Dr. John Castelein

12.14-19: the way for christians to fight back when they are being ostracized, ridiculed, discriminated against, and even in some countries persecuted, is not to retaliate in kind but to try to bless.

you are going to rub shoulders with all kinds of people as the world becomes more and more interconnected and interdependent. don’t be afraid to join the celebration of the joyful or the grieving of those who have suffered loss. don’t be so uptight–dance now and then! just because you go to church doesn’t mean you can’t show real emotions.

don’t try to be, and have, everything your neighbors are, and have. ministry means you are comfortable with anybody regardless of class, race, education, or income. accept people as persons in their won right and don’t look down on them for how they speak or dress. you should never come across as arrogant or aloof in ministry.

it’s so tempting to try to get even with anyone who does you wrong, but that is not the right attitude. in a society where everybody is only focused on getting theirs, you will frequently be tempted to get away with as much less-than-christian stuff as possible. but try hard to live in such a way that if anyone should know the stuff you do in private (on a date or on the internet, for instance) you still would be noble and above reproach.

don’t go around with a mind to sue anyone and everyone, or to make fun of everybody, like the late-night comedians do constantly, but as much as possible try to live a life at peace with everyone. God doesn’t think it’s cool to constantly be running other people down.

don’t become enraged when you don’t get the right-of-way, or when you don’t get that “A” on a paper, or are passed up for that promotion. as many wonderful rights as you have in our country, the right to revenge belongs to God alone. and you’re not God–regardless of what the New Age gurus try to tell you.

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[part 1]
[part 2]
[part 3]
[part 4]
[part 5]

Related posts:

1. a postmodern meditation on romans 12. (part 4)
2. a postmodern meditation on romans 12. (part 5)
3. a postmodern meditation on romans 12. (part 3)
4. a postmodern meditation on romans 12. (part 2)
5. a postmodern meditation on romans 12. (part 1)

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