Sermon Central
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Always Choose The High Road (There’s Less Traffic)
By Jonathan Herron on Dec 7, 2022
Jesus said his disciples would be known by their radical love for one-another, (John 15:12).
I was reading a blog by Gordon Hayward, the Boston Celtic who suffered a horrific ankle injury in the opening minutes of his NBA Opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
As he shared his thoughts and feelings in the days after the injury and surgery, this quote leaped out at me:
And then there was the Utah Jazz. I had such a tough decision to leave this summer and yet everyone from ownership, to front office, coaches and all my teammates were immediately there for me. They continue to show that they are first class in every way, and I am so fortunate to have been a part of that organization.
Hayward’s former team was, in his words, first class.
It would have been easy for one of his former teammates to tweet something snarky or post something passive-aggressive on Facebook and then ask everyone to share it.
Piling on is the norm for social media.
Our dark side’s seem to revel in kicking people when their down.
The worst offenders at this, in my experience? Christians.
We love to eat our own.
Jesus said his disciples would be known by their radical love and honor shown to each other (John 15:12).
All I ever see and hear are stories and examples of Christians taking shots at each other in gossipy conversations and publicly online.
If your faith propels you to take shots at other people, you’re doing it wrong.
When church people spend time falsely accusing one another, it frees up Satan to do other work.
Christian leaders should be the models of integrity and honor.
We should be praying for, cheering for, and encouraging one another. We don’t have time for pettiness and “discernment blogs.”
If you get a kick out of accusing other Christians, remind yourself of direct translation of the name ‘Accuser’ in the Bible: Satan.
And if you’re a leader who is on the receiving end of rocks being thrown, understand this truth: If you want God’s power and blessing on your ministry, you must be willing to absorb the pain of others without resentment.
Choose to be First Class. Don’t let a basketball team out-honor Jesus’ team.
Always take the high road: there’s less traffic and the Master is most honored.
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