A Bad Name

Read: Philippians 2:14-16

Julia was quiet as she walked beside her mom at the mall. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Mom asked.

Julia sighed. “Kids at school were saying bad things about Christians today. It’s all Paige’s fault! She claims to be a Christian, but she’s the meanest girl I know. So now the other kids think Christians are mean people who pretend they’re good—she gives all of us a bad name!”

Just then, a few women wearing headscarves turned a corner and began walking toward them. Julia gasped and moved closer to Mom.

“What’s the matter?” Mom asked.

Julia spoke in a low voice. “Uncle Jerry said people like them hate people like us.”

When the women came closer, Mom smiled at them and said hello, and they smiled back. “Well,” said Mom, “they don’t seem to hate us.”

“Maybe not,” said Julia.

“Uncle Jerry may be right about some people, but a lot of the time we think badly of certain groups of people just because a few of them are hateful. We should remember that those few people aren’t necessarily a good representation of their entire culture or religion—and that, even if some of them do hate us, Jesus tells us to show them who He is by loving them in return.”

“I guess you’re right,” said Julia. “You know, that reminds me of Paige. She can be a bad representation of Christianity and make people think badly of all Christians.”

“We’ve all been guilty of that at times,” said Mom. “That’s why we need to depend on Jesus to help us be a good representation of Him. So many people have never read the Bible or maybe never even heard of Jesus, and we might be the only chance they have to know what He’s like.”

“Maybe Paige doesn’t know that,” Julia said. “Her family only started going to church a little while ago.”

“She might need you to be an example of Jesus’s love,” said Mom. “He loves us so much that He was willing to die for us when we were His enemies. Remind her what Jesus is like by treating her and everyone else in a loving way—even when they’re not loving in return. That’s how we live up to His good name.”

–Katelyn Van Kooten

How about you? Are you a good representation of Jesus for other people? Do your actions show others who He is and how much He loves us? Because of the great love Jesus has shown us, we’re able to treat others the way He would—even when it’s not easy. Trust Him to help you show His love to others so they can see what He’s like through you.

Today's Key Verse: By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: Treat others as Jesus would