by Brandy Webb

The environment today is one of much strife. The news media feed off of it, and our politicians like to stoke it. Strife is not a good thing. In fact, “hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses” (Proverbs 10:12). I don’t know about you, but I cannot stand the environment that we find ourselves in. We need to choose to be different. We need to choose to strive to not sow discord, conflict, and strife, but instead show love by our actions and our words. We need to choose to be selfless not selfish.

Selfless – concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with one’s own; unselfish. (Bing)

Some may think that it is not easy to choose to be different. Yet, nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:37), and He can transform us into the best person we can be. Plus, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). God despises discord (Proverbs 6:19). Therefore, I do believe that He can help us to not create it. So, I just wanted to share some scriptures that teach us how we are to behave if we want to be different and walk in the Messiah’s footsteps.

Romans 12:9-21, Ref. Proverbs 25:21-22

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

1 Peter 3:8-12, Ref. Psalms 34:12-16

8 Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble, 9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

10 For the one who wants to love life

and to see good days,

let him keep his tongue from evil

and his lips from speaking deceit,

11 and let him turn away from evil

and do what is good.

Let him seek peace and pursue it,

12 because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against

those who do what is evil. 

1 Peter 4:7-11

7 But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer. 8 And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7-11).

We may not be able to change the world by how we act, but we can at least change our individual small environments that we live in by how we act. Choose to be different. Choose to show love, to put others first, to serve, to be kind, to be patient, to be forgiving, and to speak God’s words of life. Choose to be like Christ and share His light wherever you are.