1 John 2:1–6 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

A few years ago Cheryl and I were shopping for a new sofa and love seat. We went to a lot of different stores in our search. In one store – I don’t remember which one or where it was located – the saleswoman was being very attentive. I sat down on one of the sofas to try it out and then stood up again. She quickly told me that I was not standing up the right way. Silly me, after sixty plus years of standing up, I thought I knew what I was doing. But this lady told me otherwise.

She sat down where I had just been sitting. She relaxed for a moment, then she said, “This is how you should stand up.” She pressed her head and shoulders back into the sofa and raised her hands high above her head. Suddenly she threw her arms out in front of her, leaned forward, and hopped up off the seat. When she came back down on her feet, she again threw her arms above her head. You would have thought she was an Olympic gymnast who just stuck the landing!

Cheryl and I managed to stifle our laughter until later. But we definitely remember that lady. We still talk about her from time to time and have a good laugh. She probably has no idea that we are doing so.

What kind of impression are you leaving with people? You are making an impression whether you realize it or not. Will it be a good memory or a bad one? As followers of Jesus, we should be showing His love and compassion and kindness to others in what we say and do. We want them to see Jesus in a positive light, and that will not happen if His disciples are behaving badly or being cruel to others. We want them to know Jesus as the one who was the atoning sacrifice for their sin so they can receive the forgiveness He earned for them.

A Children’s Song that has been around for a long time – and there are several different versions – gives us some good advice.

O be careful little eyes what you see
O be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above
Is looking down in love
So, be careful little eyes what you see

O be careful little ears what you hear…

O be careful little tongue what you say…

O be careful little hands what you do…

O be careful little feet where you go…

1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

What kind of impression will you make on the people you me