What do we aspire to be known by? What is our legacy? How do we assess the people that influence us? Who do we want to emulate? Those that are great on a stage, pulpit or sports field, or the rich and powerful?
The results of a
non-exhaustive review of people commended as “good” in the new testament are intriguing.
- Start with Stephen. He is described as full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, (Acts 6:5). He goes on to be martyred.
- Then we
meet Cornelius who was “a
devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the
people, and prayed continually to God” (Acts 10:1). But wait – a Roman! Culturally he deserved to be hated and
shunned. But not by God.
- Barnabas
was “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts
11:24). Paul’s companion and mentor, who
lived up to his name as a Son of encouragement – although they didn’t always
agree.
- Phoebe was praised as a servant of the church and a patron of many including Paul (Romans 16:1).
- Epaphras was commended by Paul as always
struggling on (the Colossians) behalf in his prayers, and working hard for
those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis (Colossians 4 12). Other than that he was also imprisoned, we
know little about him (Philemon 23).
Therefore, the key characteristics defining a good person appear
to be:
- Spirit-filled
- Faithfull
- Prayerful
- Generous
- Hard
working
- A servant
Explicitly excluded as
important are
- Nationality
(or political opinion)
- Gender
- Class (or
wealth or race)
What do we aspire to
be known by? What is our legacy? How do
we assess the people that influence us? Who
do we want to emulate?
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