Phil's power mower broke. He dilly-dallied getting it fixed. One night as he came home from work, his wife was sitting in the tall grass cutting it with a manicure scissors. Without comment, he went into the house and came out with a toothbrush and said, "While you are at it, sweep the side- walk." I think I've known guys like that!

One virtue that should be in the Christian's bag of tricks is thoughtfulness -- not Phil's kind. The Christian's menu should include all sorts of positive attributes that would affect others. A faith that focuses on oneself, one's particular beliefs, one's style of worship, one's concept of praise, is really not a very effective faith. A faith that causes one to reach out to others is the kind of faith that Jesus demonstrated while here on earth. Therefore, shouldn't we emulate Him?

If you read the attributes listed in Gal. 5:22, spiritual pride is not on the list. Guard against it. Instead, give attention to Gal 5:13 (nlt): "For you have been called to live in freedom -- not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love." Consider it!