4 Adjectives to Reach the World

 Beyond the dictionary definition, how would those outside the Church describe Christians?  How do they describe Christians?  What adjectives might they use?

Some describe Christians as a voting block.  Others as those who go to church on Sunday.  Others may say goody two shoes.  Some may say judgmental.  These are just a few ways I have seen Christians described.

Would the adjectives of joyful, hopeful, peaceful and glad be used the describe Christians?  Could they be used to describe you?

These four words should be hallmarks of the Christian's attitude.  We should not be sorrowful all the time, though we will have times of sorrow and are commanded to be always sorrowful and always joyful (2 Corinthians 6:10).  We should not be hopeless, we have the world's greatest hope.  We should not be dour, we are to be glad people.  We should not be anxious, we have sure promises for our well being.

A Christian is one who is saved by God and one who has a great future guaranteed and one who has constant guidance and assurance guaranteed in writing.  We should be hope filled, joyful, peaceful, glad individuals.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

"On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare

a feast of rich food for all peoples,

a banquet of aged wine

the best of meats and the finest of wines.

On this mountain He will destroy

the shroud that enfolds all peoples,

the sheet that covers all nations;

He will swallow up death forever.

The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears

from all faces;

He will remove the disgrace of His people

from all the earth.

                                                                                                  The LORD has spoken.
In that day they will say,

Surely this is our God;

We trusted in Him, and He saved us.

This is the LORD, we have trusted in Him;

let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation." 

Isaiah 25:6-9

God has promised to fill us with hope.  He has given us the peace that passes all understanding.  He has given us all sorts of reasons to be joyful and glad.  This doesn't mean we can't have emotional valleys.  This doesn't mean we live lives that ignore the pain around us.  But, Christians, what might happen to our witness if these four words became adjectives the unbelieving world associated strongly with us?

Be glad, peaceful, joyful, hopeful people, because of Christ, today.