Encouraging Unbelievers to Travel While Working in Airport Maintenance
Encouraging Unbelievers to Travel While Working in Airport Maintenance
Airport maintenance workers often interact with travelers, including unbelievers. The question arises as to how Christians in such roles can encourage unbelievers to travel. The biblical concept of hospitality and interaction with unbelievers provides a foundation for understanding this issue.
The apostle Paul, while working as a tentmaker, interacted with unbelievers and shared the gospel with them (Acts 18:3) [6]. This example illustrates that Christians can engage with unbelievers in their daily work, including those in airport maintenance. Paul's interactions were not limited to his ministry; he also worked among unbelievers to support himself.
In the New Testament, believers are cautioned against being "unequally yoked" with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) [2]. However, this does not mean complete separation. Matthew Henry notes that the apostle Paul was affectionate towards the Corinthians, cautioning them against mingling with unbelievers while still acknowledging the need to interact with them [2]. The key is to maintain a distinction while still being hospitable and engaging.
The concept of hospitality is emphasized in Hebrews 13:2, where believers are encouraged to "entertain strangers" as they may "unawares entertain angels" [3]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown comment that this virtue was recognized by the enemies of Christianity, highlighting its importance in Christian practice. Airport maintenance workers can demonstrate hospitality by being courteous and helpful to travelers, regardless of their faith.
Some traditions interpret biblical teachings on unbelievers as advocating for a more cautious approach. For instance, Matthew Henry, commenting on 2 John 1:10, advises against supporting or receiving those who bring false doctrine into one's home [4]. However, this does not necessarily apply to everyday interactions in a workplace setting like airport maintenance.
The early Christian fathers also grappled with the issue of interacting with unbelievers. Augustine discusses the treatment of unbelievers, noting that while they should not be compelled to believe, they should not be allowed to hinder the faith either [1]. This nuanced view suggests that Christians can engage with unbelievers in a way that is respectful and considerate of their beliefs.
In the context of airport maintenance, encouraging unbelievers to travel might involve providing excellent customer service, being knowledgeable about travel procedures, and offering helpful advice. By doing so, Christians in these roles can demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways, even if the unbelievers they interact with do not share their faith.
The biblical concept of "unbelief" is also relevant. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, commenting on Hebrews 4:6, note that unbelief is often associated with disobedience [5]. Understanding this can help Christians approach interactions with unbelievers with empathy and compassion.
Ultimately, Christians working in airport maintenance can encourage unbelievers to travel by being exemplary employees, demonstrating kindness, and providing helpful service. As Adam Clarke notes, Paul's practice of working with his hands to support himself while sharing the gospel is an example of how Christians can engage with unbelievers in their daily work [6].
By being mindful of their interactions and striving to be a positive influence, Christians in airport maintenance can fulfill their roles while also bearing witness to their faith. As the early Christian community showed, it is possible to engage with unbelievers in a way that is both respectful and faithful.
Sources
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Unbelief in General, Art. 8: Article: Whether unbelievers ought to be compelled to the faith? I answer that, Among unbelievers there are some who have never received the faith, such as the heathens and the Jews: and these are by no means to be compelled to the faith, in order that they may believe, because to believe depends on the will: nevertheless they should be compelled by the faithful, if it be possible to do so, so that they do not hinder the faith, by their blasphemies, or by their evil persuasions, or eve”
- 2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 6:11: The apostle proceeds to address himself more particularly to the Corinthians, and cautions them against mingling with unbelievers. Here observe, I. How the caution is introduced with a profession, in a very pathetic manner, of the most tender affection to them, even like that of a father to his children, Co2 6:11-13. Though the apostle was happy in a great fluency of expressions, yet he seemed to want words to express the warm affections he had for these Corinthians. As if he had said, "O ye Corinthians, to whom I am now writing, I would fain convince you h”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 13:7: Two manifestations of "brotherly love," hospitality and care for those in bonds. Be not forgetful--implying it was a duty which they all recognized, but which they might forget to act on (Heb 13:3, Heb 13:7, Heb 13:16). The enemies of Christianity themselves have noticed the practice of this virtue among Christians [JULIAN, Epistles, 49]. entertained angels unawares--Abraham and Lot did so (Gen 18:2; Gen 19:1). To obviate the natural distrust felt of strangers, Paul says, an unknown guest may be better than he looks: he may be unexpectedly found t”
- 2 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 John 1:10: Here, I. Upon due warning given concerning seducers, the apostle gives direction concerning the treatment of such. They are not to be entertained as the ministers of Christ. The Lord Christ will distinguish them from such, and so would he have his disciples. The direction is negative. 1. "Support them not: If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine (concerning Christ as the Son of God, the Messiah and anointed of God for our redemption and salvation), receive him not into your house." Possibly this lady was like Gaius, of whom we read in the next epis”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 4:6: it remaineth--still to be realized. some must enter--The denial of entrance to unbelievers is a virtual promise of entrance to those that believe. God wishes not His rest to be empty, but furnished with guests (Luk 14:23). they to whom it was first preached entered not--literally, "they who first (in the time of Moses) had the Gospel preached to them," namely, in type, see on Heb 4:2. unbelief--Greek, rather "disobedience" (see on Heb 3:18).”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 18:3: He abode with them, and wrought - Bp. Pearce observes that it was a custom among the Jews, even of such as had a better education than ordinary, which was Paul's case, Act 22:3, to learn a trade, that, wherever they were, they might provide for themselves in case of necessity. And though Paul, in some cases, lived on the bounty of his converts, yet he chose not to do so at Ephesus, Act 20:34; nor at Corinth or other places, Co1 4:12; Co2 9:8, Co2 9:9; Th1 3:8; and this Paul did for a reason which he gives in Co2 11:9-12. While he was at Corinth he was supplied, when h”