Then Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. I praise you because you have hidden these things from the wise and smart people. But you have shown these things to people that are like little children.
Who says that you are better than other people? Everything you have was given to you. So, if everything you have was given to you, then why do you boast like you got those things by your own power?
God once said, “The light will shine out of the darkness!” And this is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts. He gave us light by letting us know the glory of God that is in the face of Christ.
If you do these things, then people who are not believers will respect the way you live. And you will not have to depend on other people for what you need.
An elder must also have the respect of people who are not in the church. Then he will not be criticized by other people and be caught in the devil’s trap.