SAY WHAT?

By Rick Mathes

Have you ever noticed that you are watching people who are watching people watch people? It’s a fun game to play as you size them up by looks, occupation and temperament. Well, there are roughly four categories to choose from: manlike, beastlike, Satanlike and Christlike. Learn to spot these personalities and you will have a leg-up on communicating with them.

Manlike: This is the “good neighbor” guy that is always falling over backwards to be accepted. This is what I call the good-for-good deeds and he’s a great guy to know: good for good.

Next is the Beastlike character. He is the one that always replies in kind. If you slug him, he will strike a blow back. You stab him and he will shoot you: bad for bad. This is normal in the animal kingdom but civilized people should know better to show restraint but instead we exercise retribution. God said, “Vengeance is mine” and He meant it!

Satanlike is the nastiest personality of all: bad for good. I shudder when I reflect on all the good people I hurt and trampled with no regard for the pain I caused. The devil delights in having you  damage those who love you so when you return love with hate, or bad for good you are in the image and likeness of Father Lucifer himself.

Now is good for good is manlike and bad for bad is beastlike and bad for good is Satanlike, what is Christlike?

That’s right! Good for bad. Jesus called us to love our enemies, turn the other cheek and wash dirty feet. When others get to know us do they get to know the peace and love of our Savior? We may be the only gospel that they will ever encounter. They will know us by our love. We are certainly called to protect our Lord, family and church from the evil one, including war against deadly force but in all other cases we are to return bad with good. Say what? You got to be kidding me.