The scripture for today, January 3 is 1st Corinthians 1:3 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The apostle Paul began most of his letters like this. In every letter he had something to give. When you are around other people, do you have something to give them? Or do you take? Do you give them your favor, no matter how good or bad they may be, or do you take favor from them by withholding compliments and blessings? Do you give them peace, or do you take peace from them by talking about the bad they do?
There is both good and bad in everyone. What do we concentrate on regarding other people? Do we concentrate on their bad traits or do we concentrate on their good traits? First Corinthians 13:5 says love does not keep track of wrongs, but concentrates on the good others do.
Remember, God treats us the way we treat others. If we want to receive grace and peace from God, we must give grace and peace to everyone (not just some) we meet. This, then, will prove we are like God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.