Are You Popular?

Jesus said in Matthew 5: “ Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  Jesus called us to do more and love more than what is normal.  If someone is mean to you, then you naturally want to be mean back.  But if what if you were nice to nearly everyone.  Friendly with all.  Complimenting and encouraging and praying for everyone you came into contact with.  A business knows that it must provide consistently friendly service in order to be successful.  Why?  Because one angry person will tell seven people, who in turn tell three more each, making 22 people mad at your business.  Well, when you are unfriendly or are talking bad about someone and make them mad, you are potentially creating 22 people who think that you are mean.  As Christians, how can we influence people if they don’t like us?  Instead, be friendly with everyone.  If kids are making fun of a different kid, don’t get involved.  Be quiet.  Many kids want to be popular.  Popularity is based on two simple concepts.  Do people know you, and do they like you.  If you are friendly, happy, and your present yourself confidently then people will begin to know you and like you.  Remember that God’s favor is for you.  It is a promise.  It is true that nearly everyone around you is feeling insecure and awkward.  What if you walked in a room and encouraged others.  “Hey, great shirt.  Oh, Ron, great job on the test..etc”  The goal isn’t to be popular, the goal is to obey Christ.  The fruit is that you gain influence, and with influence you can begin to lead others, which is something we Christians should be doing.  Love everyone, even your enemies.