The annoying door-to-door salesman, the fast food worker who made a mistake on your order, the telemarketer who calls in the middle of dinner, the elderly man who drives slowly and causes you to be late to work – how do we, as Christians, treat these people? Do we show patience, understanding, kindness, and a Christ-like attitude toward them? Or do we treat them with disdain, hatred, and anger?
Now, allow me to pose a hypothetical question – what if an angel was disguised as a clumsy fast food worker or as a slow, elderly man? Would that change the way that we, as Christians, treat them? Of course! We would be extra kind, patient, and apt to show hospitality while extending grace to such a one. Well, maybe this idea isn’t so far-fetched or hypothetical. You see, the Bible says, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb. 13:2). In other words, the Berean Study Bible puts it like this, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
In Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, it states: “The Greek word for ‘angels’ – messengers – of itself would serve to remind these Christians that, though the strangers whom they welcomed were but men, they might be special messengers of God.” So whether an angel in disguise (which appear as men) or a special messenger sent by God, it is clear that we are to show hospitality and Christian love to others – even strangers. Remember the scripture, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them…” (Matt. 7:12).
How Would You Treat Jesus?
In the first section of this blog, we discussed how we might behave differently if we were in the presence of an angel. But, let’s take that a step further – how would we treat Jesus if he were walking among us, yet hidden in a disguise? Wouldn’t it be utterly devastating to learn that we’d treated someone with disregard only to find out later that the person was really Jesus in disguise?! Again, this is not such a far-fetched idea, for the Holy Spirit lives within many. In Matthew 10:40, Jesus said, “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” This concept is best explained in Matthew 25:34-46:
“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
It Matters To God How We Treat Others
The point of this blog entry is to show the importance of how we treat others – even strangers. The Bible also teaches us not to show favoritism to the rich while despising the poor (see James 2:1-13); to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (see Mark 12:31); and to be a good “Samaritan” who has pity and mercy upon a helpless soul in need (see Luke 10:25-37). Likewise, we are to speak graciously with kind words – even to strangers (see Col. 4:5-6). If necessary, we are to bridle our tongues so that we do not speak out of our anger or haste. The Bible even goes so far as to say this: “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26).
The Bible is full of examples which teach us how to behave in a Godly manner and how to treat others. When we choose to offer hospitality, we are to do so without grumbling (1st Pet. 4:9). It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to have a genuinely kind heart. Kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control – these are some of the “fruits” that grow in our lives as we yield to the Holy Spirit (see Gal. 5:22).
As we know, it’s easy to love the loveable – but it is the unlovable who usually need to feel loved. We never know what such an unlovable person is going through. I’ve heard it said that hurt people often have masks. Hurt may be masked as anger, rebellion, or as having a bad attitude. Love will go a long way and that is what the hurting people need. Jesus showed his love by dying for such souls so that they could be saved and loved eternally. Loving the lost takes on many forms. Love is ultimately shown when we reveal truths to them and lead them to our loving God. We are taught in Matthew 5:43-48 to even love our enemies…
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
It’s equally important to God how we treat our family. For example, it’s important how husbands treat their wives. If they do not show honor, scripture says that their prayers could be hindered. “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered”(1st Pet. 3:7). The Bible also instructs wives, children, and all of us how to behave in a Godly manner. If we should behave badly in a weak moment, we need to be humble enough to admit fault, ask for forgiveness, mourn our sin, and repent. It doesn’t always come natural, but as disciples of the Lord Jesus, let’s strive to put ourselves aside in order to live a life pleasing to him. Again, I will reiterate – it is very important to God how we treat others.
It isn’t always easy and there will be plenty of opportunities to become angry or to be tempted to treat others poorly; but the next time you’re tempted to give someone a “piece of your mind” or to show hatred, remember to ask yourself these questions – “What if this is a test and really just an angel in disguse? How would Jesus want me to behave toward strangers or enemies? What if my anger drives an unstable soul to harm themselves?” Reaffirm in your mind that it is very important to God how Christians treat others since we are his ambassadors. Let’s have a depth to us so that we shine with love and genuine, Christian kindness.
Revealing Truth Today
How Would You Treat an Angel?
by revealingtruthtodayNow, allow me to pose a hypothetical question – what if an angel was disguised as a clumsy fast food worker or as a slow, elderly man? Would that change the way that we, as Christians, treat them? Of course! We would be extra kind, patient, and apt to show hospitality while extending grace to such a one. Well, maybe this idea isn’t so far-fetched or hypothetical. You see, the Bible says, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb. 13:2). In other words, the Berean Study Bible puts it like this, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
In Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, it states: “The Greek word for ‘angels’ – messengers – of itself would serve to remind these Christians that, though the strangers whom they welcomed were but men, they might be special messengers of God.” So whether an angel in disguise (which appear as men) or a special messenger sent by God, it is clear that we are to show hospitality and Christian love to others – even strangers. Remember the scripture, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them…” (Matt. 7:12).
How Would You Treat Jesus?
In the first section of this blog, we discussed how we might behave differently if we were in the presence of an angel. But, let’s take that a step further – how would we treat Jesus if he were walking among us, yet hidden in a disguise? Wouldn’t it be utterly devastating to learn that we’d treated someone with disregard only to find out later that the person was really Jesus in disguise?! Again, this is not such a far-fetched idea, for the Holy Spirit lives within many. In Matthew 10:40, Jesus said, “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” This concept is best explained in Matthew 25:34-46:
It Matters To God How We Treat Others
The point of this blog entry is to show the importance of how we treat others – even strangers. The Bible also teaches us not to show favoritism to the rich while despising the poor (see James 2:1-13); to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (see Mark 12:31); and to be a good “Samaritan” who has pity and mercy upon a helpless soul in need (see Luke 10:25-37). Likewise, we are to speak graciously with kind words – even to strangers (see Col. 4:5-6). If necessary, we are to bridle our tongues so that we do not speak out of our anger or haste. The Bible even goes so far as to say this: “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26).
The Bible is full of examples which teach us how to behave in a Godly manner and how to treat others. When we choose to offer hospitality, we are to do so without grumbling (1st Pet. 4:9). It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to have a genuinely kind heart. Kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control – these are some of the “fruits” that grow in our lives as we yield to the Holy Spirit (see Gal. 5:22).
As we know, it’s easy to love the loveable – but it is the unlovable who usually need to feel loved. We never know what such an unlovable person is going through. I’ve heard it said that hurt people often have masks. Hurt may be masked as anger, rebellion, or as having a bad attitude. Love will go a long way and that is what the hurting people need. Jesus showed his love by dying for such souls so that they could be saved and loved eternally. Loving the lost takes on many forms. Love is ultimately shown when we reveal truths to them and lead them to our loving God. We are taught in Matthew 5:43-48 to even love our enemies…
It’s equally important to God how we treat our family. For example, it’s important how husbands treat their wives. If they do not show honor, scripture says that their prayers could be hindered. “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered” (1st Pet. 3:7). The Bible also instructs wives, children, and all of us how to behave in a Godly manner. If we should behave badly in a weak moment, we need to be humble enough to admit fault, ask for forgiveness, mourn our sin, and repent. It doesn’t always come natural, but as disciples of the Lord Jesus, let’s strive to put ourselves aside in order to live a life pleasing to him. Again, I will reiterate – it is very important to God how we treat others.
It isn’t always easy and there will be plenty of opportunities to become angry or to be tempted to treat others poorly; but the next time you’re tempted to give someone a “piece of your mind” or to show hatred, remember to ask yourself these questions – “What if this is a test and really just an angel in disguse? How would Jesus want me to behave toward strangers or enemies? What if my anger drives an unstable soul to harm themselves?” Reaffirm in your mind that it is very important to God how Christians treat others since we are his ambassadors. Let’s have a depth to us so that we shine with love and genuine, Christian kindness.
Sources: biblehub.com, youtube.com, polyvore.com
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