What you believe about God is demonstrated in how well you love people. My friend Mark would always encourage me to live in a manner that would point people to Christ, not push them away. Our actions reflect our beliefs. Or at least they should. Love others like you love God–with your everythingess.
Christians, although washed in the blood of Christ, aren’t perfect people. I’m sure you’ve noticed this. If you find a perfect church please don’t ruin it by starting to attend. Part of the good news is that God knows we aren’t perfect. He knows we’re broken. Some of the most flawed, broken people I know attend church with me. And if there were a poster of a flawed, broken mess, I’m sure you’d find my picture plastered on it. I desperately need grace daily and I need to extend that same grace to others. I can only convince you of the greatness of God’s love by demonstrating it to you through the way I live and in the way I treat you every day. The other part of the good news is that through His son, Jesus Christ, God paved a way to make it possible for me (and you) to love people better.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8 (NIV)
In the two years since God called him home, I have been reminded almost daily of how well Mark loved people. He demonstrated the love that God had for him through how he loved others—with his everythingness. Today, as I remember my friend who taught me so much in such a brief season of my life, I pray that you would know the love God has for you. He is for you, not against you. You may not know it, but God is wrapping His arms around you already. He’s there. All you need to do is acknowledge Him. Repent and believe. And then, live abundantly, loving others with your everythingness just as you love God with your everythingness.
There is no better recipe for pointing people to Christ than demonstrating that you love them.
Prayer:
God, thank You for blessing our lives with people like Mark. Thank you for the example he set for us. An example he learned through You by following the example of Your son, Jesus. Father God, may I be able to shine the light and demonstrate the love Jesus shows us. Help me point people to Christ, not push them away. Help me love first and trust You to do the rest. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Blessings,
The Devotional Guy™
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The Devotional Guy™ 