The Marks of a Christian - Seek to Show Hospitality

If you are a follower of Jesus, your life should have outward marks that reflect your inward convictions. These marks signify that you live your life in a way that imitates Christ. Seeking to show hospitality is another distinguishing mark of a Christian (Romans 12:13).             In the early days of Christianity, practicing hospitality was a necessity. Most Christians and other travelers were unable to regularly pay for lodging or food, so they depended upon the hospitality of other believers to open their homes to house and feed them. In today’s times, it seems inconceivable to invite traveling strangers into our homes. But the early Christians did it readily and regularly. With cheerful and joyful hearts.  Why? Because they realized their homes ultimately belonged to the Lord. They rightly believed that all was His, and anything from Him was an undeserved gift.  They also used this time to share their faith in Jesus. They saw it as an evangelistic opportunity. As Christ-followers, we should always be on the lookout for opportunities to help others  - especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should also be looking for occasions to share the hope in Jesus that lives in us.   When we intentionally and purposefully seek out ways to meet others’ needs, we are never more like Christ. That should always be the prime motivation in showing hospitality to others.