First Class

Back in 1989 a movie came out that everyone went and saw.  It taught important life lessons.  Who has ever seen Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure?  Don’t be ashamed.  I loved it.  Great flick about two idiots going back in time and kidnapping historical figures in order to use them in their speech for history class.  The ultimate show and tell if you will.  In that movie one line is repeated several times.  Anyone remember it?

“Be Excellent to Each Other.”  What a great concept.  Be excellent to each other.  One of the definitions for excellent is “first class”.  Treat people first class.  The best.  With great care and consideration.  The Bible says it a little differently,

Be kind to one another. Have a loving and understanding heart. Forgive one another because God has forgiven you for Christ’s sake.  Eph. 4:32 (Worldwide English (New Testament)

Basically, be excellent to each other.  To put this in context this whole chapter in Ephesians is talking to and about the church, fellow Christ-Followers.  Here’s kind of what I think Paul was trying to get across to us.  If we can’t treat each other with kindness, love, understanding and forgiveness then how can we show the same to those outside the church?  How can we ever expect to make an impact in the world when we can’t even be excellent to our own family?

Jesus put it another way,

^34-35“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”  John 13:34-35 (The Message)

In order for people outside the church to see God, they must see our love for each other.

Show them God by showing each other love!