Hello & Goodbye - What does it say about you?

Alistair Begg made the following statement, “You can tell a lot about a person by their hello and goodbye.”

In the following account, you read about how a boss greeted his workers.

Ruth 2:4 “Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, ‘May the LORD be with you.’ And they said to him, ‘May the LORD bless you.’”

Stop a moment and think about the last hello or goodbye you offered to someone. Were you eager to see them? Were your words to them kind? Did you refresh or encourage them in their faith? Were you of a mind to care more about them and their needs than your own? Did you love them? Did your words and actions reflect love?

As brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus we are commanded to love one another.

Following are a few (of many) passages talking about how we are to treat one another. I pulled out the phrases that hit me and convicted my heart. I would challenge you to look up each passage. If you are convicted, confess any area of disobedience as the sin it is, repent and ask God to work through you to show His love to others.

Phi 2:1-4 …Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Col 3:12-17 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Heb 10:23-25 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Rom 12:9-18 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
Gal 6:9-10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Eph 4:29-32 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. …Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
1Thess 5:14-18 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
1 Pet 4:8-11 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another…
1Jo 4:10-11 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Phi 4:21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.

Not only should our greetings reflect love, but our speech, actions and the way we treat one another. Are you showing the love of Christ in all you say and do? Do a reality check - ask your family.

Have a GREAT day in the Lord!