In 1973 legendary rocker Alice Cooper released one of his best-selling albums. Alice Cooper’s well-known outrageous stage shows often utilized dramatic scenes involving fake blood, electric chairs, swords, and a large boa constrictor. His on-stage persona was disturbing to a lot of people, including the folks in his mother’s church. So, he decided to write a song that basically said he was not going to apologize for his wild-man stage antics. He called that song, No More Mr. Nice Guy!
Alice Cooper, No More Mr. Nice Guy
That seems like a good anthem for our times, doesn’t it? Whatever realm we look at, whether it’s social media, politics, the 24-hour news cycle, or even just the way people treat each other in general - it seems like everyone’s embraced that philosophy: No More Mr. Nice Guy!
Was Jesus a “Nice Guy”? I don’t think we can describe Jesus as a “Nice Guy” if by that we mean someone who just wants to get along with everyone no matter what.
We can describe Jesus as caring, compassionate, and interested in helping people make real changes in their lives. As we follow Him as disciples, we embrace the qualities of life that Jesus taught and lived out. When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us and begins to produce changes - sometimes we call that the “fruit of the Spirit.” There are nine of those qualities listed in Galatians 5, but I want us to focus in on one verse:
Galatians 5:23 “gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Gentleness and self-control … two essential qualities of Christianity that are often missing in the dialogue we hear and participate in today. Paul goes on to say that there’s no law against them!
Gentleness is an active trait, describing the manner in which we should treat others. Meekness is a passive trait, describing the proper Christian response when others mistreat us. - Jerry Bridges, The Practice of Godliness, NavPress, 1996
In other words, we should make every effort to be gentle and exercise self-control.
To be gentle is …meekness, humility, and treating other people with respect.
To have self-control means…self-restraint, and not being subject to the whims of our emotions.
You may not know that Alice Cooper did become a nice guy after all! He gave up alcohol in the mid-80s and spends time helping other musicians to find their way to sobriety. He also returned to his Christian roots and regularly attends church and Bible study. Maybe he should write a new song!
There’s no law against being nice!
LOL I know my sons would listen to some of the heavy metal as much as I did not want it in the house.
But Im not a fan of that sort of music. Im old. LOL And I like many genres. Classical, country, R&B, Pop, etc.. Elvis of course. Its because I had no father. His music/voice touched me. And my mom only told me my dad was 6'5" black hair, blue eyes. So somehow I attached my wonderings on him. And of course old Gospel is my favorite. The new is fine for young folks, but it does not touch my spirit as old gospel.
I believe...I do best one on one with people. Where i can sit and listen to their words, ask questions and see their expressions. I do believe I am kind to others. But my human side...some can set me on edge if they are argumentative.