Contrary to what many may think the Christian life is a life of love.
Not judgment. Not hatred. Not rules and regulations. Not getting even. Not a “hellish future awaits you.”
Love. In I John 4, John wrote, “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God, for God is love. God showed how much He loves us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love-not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” (I John 4:7-10 NLT)
A few verses later (v. 20) John writes that if anyone says he loves God but hates his brother, he is a liar. Put simply: hate is the antithesis of love. Left to myself, I am an impatient, judgmental, and irritation-driven man. But when God’s love enters the picture, I am transformed into a patient, understanding, and more peaceful man. Does that mean I never exhibit those ugly qualities? Aaah no. I’m still human (in spite of my best superhero impersonation). But in the big picture God’s love is transforming me into a new creation.
How can that be seen? Take John’s words: a sure sign of being transformed is living a life of love. Just think what that thought would have done to the mind of the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. Just think what it does to the minds of the self-righteous Pharisees of today. What shows transformation is not my spiritual intellect (Bible knowledge, prayer life or church-going), or my ministry experience. God’s transformation within my heart is seen by how much I love and who I love. While not compromising the truth of the Gospel, I am to love even those who hate me, those whose lifestyle is abhorrent and adverse to the Bible, and those who curl my insides with hateful and hate-filled rhetoric.
The apostle John finished chapter 4 with some pretty strong words: “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates a fellow believers, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God whom we cannot see?” (v.20 NLT)
Good words. Strong words. Essential words. Don’t you agree?
I agree wholeheartedly, Bill! Is it always easy to love another person? Of course not. But God makes it possible and expects us to do as He has told us. May we all be examples of Jesus’ love and grace.
Blessings!
Absolutely correct on all sides Martha.
Great message Bill, wonderful way to start the day. Praise God our Father that He gives us His love to share, because as you say on our own our love falls short.
1Timothy1:17
our love comes from Him and He enables us to love those who are hard to love.
May our lives of love be evident to all who watch us. May the fruit of the Spirit be vibrant and real.
We never know who’s watching quietly on the sidelines.
Weekend blessings to you, Bill.
What a great point Linda! Love evident to all but especially “we never know who is watching.”