Photo Credit: Ambernectar 13 via Compfight cc

Over the last few years, Christians have embarked on many different crusades. Most recently Christians are in an uproar over Starbucks’ new holiday cups. This year Starbucks will be using a red cup without any kind of reference to Christmas. The lack of the words “Merry Christmas” has caused many Christians to voice their strong displeasure with Starbucks.

As much as I love the Christmas holidays, I do not love the reputation followers of Jesus are getting among the very people we are trying to reach. We are no longer known for the good works we do in our communities and for our neighbors, but rather we are becoming known for what we stand against vocally and on social media sites. Let me ask you: is standing against Starbucks because of their red cups really what we want to be known for as Christians?

In the days of the early church, the book of Acts records what Christians were known for: “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:44-47). Did you catch that? The early church was known for being generous, loving and supportive of one another. As a result, the Lord added to their number daily.

I am sure the early church stood against different things in the first century, but that’s not what they were known for. They were known less for what they stood against and more for what they did for others.

May we be known as people of love and good works and may the church, through the grace and mercy of God, grow both spiritually and numerically because of the actions and reputation of faithful Christians.

Now that’s Something To Think About!