Friendliness part 3

January 27, 2021 devotional

In Luke 14:7, there is a great story where Jesus watches a crowd of people gather for a meal.  And what He observes is that many of the people were trying to get the best seats in the house... close to the front and near the head of the table.  In response, He tells a parable about a wedding guest who found himself in the wrong seat.

The Parable of the Guests, Jesus implies that those individuals who had gathered in the Pharisee's house that day did not consider the needs of others but were self-focused; consumed by their own wants and desires.

I think all of us have witnessed this type of behavior.  we've seen the pushing, the irritation, and the impatience from those who only focus on themselves.  This is why a Christian who demonstrates friendliness stands out like a ray of light in a dark and hurting world.

I know, I know; friendliness is not listed as a "Fruits of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23), but it certainly is a characteristic that is found in someone who has been transformed by the Holy Spirit.  When the Holy Spirit is allowed to transform someone, one of the effects is that person begins to see others.  Transformed Christians walk into a room with their heart and eyes fixed on everyone else, not themselves.  A transformed Christian sees the needs of others and puts those needs ahead of their own.  A transformed Christian begins to demonstrate the same attitude that was found in Jesus.

Paul teaches us that we should never allow selfish ambition or vain conceit to drive our actions and attitudes.  We are to regard others as more important than ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4).  When we demonstrate friendliness to others it communicates that we see them; we notice their needs and view them as a person of value.  And in a world where everyone else is pushing and shoving to be first, the Christian who puts themselves last will be, perhaps, the most unusual things someone will ever experience.

This is the real reason someone is friendly toward others; they are friendly because the Holy Spirit has transformed them, and they now see the value in others.  It is the Christian who has been changed by the Spirit who goes out of their way to make someone else feel significant.

Can you image the impact if an entire church felt this way?