When Paul penned those words, the Roman Empire was unsympathetic to Christianity. The predominant form of religion was some expression of idolatry. A common thing binding most idolatrous religions was a polytheistic thrust. Most forms of idolatry did not care how many gods a person worshipped. Worship of one idol did not exclude other idols. Thus doing good to “all men” included kindness, thoughtfulness, and helpfulness to people who worshipped idols. One principle of faith in Jesus Christ was defeating evil by doing good instead of by vengeance (Romans 12:17-21).

Christians were strange! The Roman Empire valued force! Defeat enemies by using force! The surrender of a defeated enemy was a wonderful thing! Doing good sought a willful cooperation; defeat sought an unwilling subjugation.

Christians were weird! Christians—slave or wealthy—regarded all who believed in Jesus as family! All believers were God’s family! Love motivated them to care for each other and those who did not believe. They threatened no one. One who included himself or herself in their ranks did so by personal choice. Anyone could belong. All, regardless of background, could be one of them. Though they believed in one God, they were kind to those who believed in many gods. Their morality was the weirdest known in that world!

Last Sunday was “Blue Jeans Sunday.” All colors of denim in all forms were worn—skirts, jeans, overalls, and jackets. The objective: to emphasize the biblical connection between worship and service. Between 200 and 250 served that afternoon. Cards were written, vans cleaned, linens at CURE folded, toys prepared for give away, quilts for earthquake victims in China made, and over 700 pairs of jeans collected for and delivered to the Hope Chest. There was a campus prayer walk, the yard of the new Lions For Christ house received massive help, and equipment manned—chain saws, a chipper, and a tractor with sweaty people dragging brush. When the day ended in a fellowship meal, the FULL price of the new property was contributed. God was honored, people were served, and we felt His life in us. We worked and gave to benefit people we have yet to meet! Young and old, different races, men and women worked side by side. We all were just Christians! God was glorified as we rediscovered the joys of Christian service.