If It's So Great To Be Forgiven, Why Are You Such A Sourpuss?

Have you ever noticed that, no matter what you say or do, it seems like there's always somebody who has to put a negative spin on it? I'm not talking about just at work or school, either. This sort of thing actually happens in church, too.

A lot. 

Does that seem improbable? Allow me to suggest an experiment: come up with a new idea for ministry. We can't do it that way! We've never done it that way before! That's not what our last pastor did, and anyway it'll never, ever work! 

Or, try sharing a bit of good news. Too bad it won't last. Just wait, that'll go south before you know it! I don't really like/approve/appreciate/enjoy that... but whatever floats your boat, I guess.

Maybe it's human nature, but it seems like we very often can't wait to find the cloud attached to the silver lining. 

 

This is so contrary to who Jesus is, though, and to who we are, if we are in His spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says to "Rejoice always." Not to look for the negative in your circumstances, or to find reasons to be a naysayer, but to "pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

 

So often, it seems as though Christians have very little to be happy about. At least, if we were to judge on their countenance and behavior.  But don't we, after all, have the best of reasons to rejoice? Shouldn't we be an example in our exuberance that we, in our lostness, were found and in our blindness given sight? 

 

Seems like I read about something like that somewhere...