(Joh 13:35) By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."(Joh 15:8) By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
When will we finally get it? Being a Christian is
not belonging to a certain political party. It is not voting a certain way on
issues. It is not a special way of talking that sets you apart. It is not dressing a certain way, or looking
a certain way, or attending a certain church. None of the above makes one a Christian.
The truth plain and simple is that people will know you’re a follower of
Christ when you demonstrate love for your fellowman. It is the fruit of the
Spirit and NOTHING ELSE that proves you are a disciple of Jesus.
I want to dedicate this post to all of my prodigal
brothers and sisters; and not just them. This is for anyone who struggles to
feel acceptable to God. Perhaps you struggle with some behavior or attitude.
Perhaps you just never think you are good enough to be in his presence. No
matter what it is know this. You can choose to love once you accept the idea
that God loves you unconditionally. If you really, really, really believe it…
that is, if you really believe that God loves you and has MADE you acceptable
in Jesus… you cannot help but love God. Guess what? Your love for God is the
catalyst to allow you to begin to love others. Yes you can.
Maybe you cannot easily break a habit or addiction
but when you realize God’s love for you … you can love others. You can love
others with a smile on your face even when they are unlovable. Loving God just comes second nature. If you no longer fear
him you can’t help but love him. This is the kind of love that would radically
change the world. This is a love that is uncommon. This is a supernatural love.
I am explaining to you the undeniable steps of transformation. That is how God
does it.
This is precisely why the uncompromised gospel is
so important. It is really, really, really good news. God was in Christ
reconciling the world to himself not counting sin. You have been reconciled to
God. This my friend should produce love, joy, and peace. The result of the
peace should be love for God and love for God will enable you to love others.
IT DOES NOT WORK ANY OTHER WAY!
I don’t care where you are or what you are doing.
You have been reconciled. No amount of secret sin will thwart that fact. If you
are a minister…. Still you have been reconciled. Walk in that reality. No
matter what your job is in the kingdom you must rely on this message. If you
really believe…. I mean really, really, believe, then you will be transformed
and what’s more, you will bring transformation wherever you go!
I am really starting to grasp this. It does bring great peace and a desire to love. Thanks for helping to open my eyes.
ReplyDeleteMelanie, I just praise God for your comment... oh if only more eyes would be opened. Blessings, Joe
ReplyDeleteA deeply hidden grain of wheat: Read Daniel 12:12, write down the number he gives, then read John 13:5 and John 13:35
ReplyDelete"Blessed is he who comes to these days..."
Bingo! It's hard to get this across to those who are bound by doctrine which is interpreted by natural thinking. It's difficult to get folks to know that we are to become one with God as opposed to be separate.
ReplyDeleteThe love that you speak of, "loving others with a smile even when they are unlovable", is very uncommon. Honestly, it is still a struggle for me to smile at someone when they are allowing Satan to use them as a conduit. I am getting better, because my prayer is "Lord help me to love like you and see pass the struggles in people".
ReplyDelete