If Only Everyone Could Just "Be Nice!"

I feel like I am always telling my children to, "Just Be Nice!"

It's biblical after all...Christians are supposed to be NICE!
That's not all there is to being a Christian, like some people believe - but it sure is important!

We are called to love one another, forgive others when they hurt or wrong us, and leave the judgment to our creator and Lord.

The Bible says we should correct our neighbor if they do something wrong, but not to judge them. This is so very difficult. It is much easier to form judgment, and hold
wrong-doings against our neighbors. However, God tells us to point it out, so we will not be held guilty, but then to forgive and leave the judging up to the One and Only Judge who matters!




Dear Lord,
I pray that we will be able to focus on being nice to our neighbors, and to leave the judgments up to You. We are called to be good neighbors to all, even those who commit wrong-doings. We all sin, and it is not our prerogative to judge everyone around us, but rather to be nice, neighborly, and forgiving.
Please help us, Lord, to forgive, and love our neighbors.
Amen




This has been weighing heavily on my heart for at least 2 weeks. I had to read the following passage as a Lector at church..and it also came up in my bible study a few days before that!

Leviticus 19:15-18
"Do not make something that is wrong appear to be right. Treat poor people and rich people in the same way. Do not favor one person over another. Instead, judge everyone fairly.
Do not go around spreading lies among your people.
Do not do anything that puts your neighbor's life in danger. I am the Lord.
Do not hate your brother in your heart. Correct your neighbor boldly when he does something wrong. Then you will not share his guilt.
Do not try to get even. Do not hold anything against one of your people. Instead, love your neighbor as you love yourself. I am the Lord."

This passage is so overloaded with really important messages from our Lord...but being "nice" covers most of it!