Have you ever had someone tell you “I love you with the love of the Lord”! Ever walked away wondering what that really meant? Christian love is a very powerful yet misunderstood principal. Oftentimes people equate Christian love with having pleasant feelings towards another. But love is not just a set of feelings you have for someone, love is an action you DO towards others. When you place the word Christian in front of it; it literally mean’s to act in a manner towards another the way Christ would.
Scripture is littered with various acts of kindness, healing, and caring Christ exemplified to those who came in contact with him. When people met Christ they left in a better condition than they arrived, likewise when people leave our presence they should leave in a better
state. This means one must constantly observe the needs of others with godly intent; and when God gives opportunity meet those needs.
Christian love isn’t only acting good to those who are good to you. Christ said in Matthew 22:39,“And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (NKJV) When we think of the definition of“neighbor” we limit it to one who lives in close proximity, however another definition for neighbor is a fellow human. Is it possible that Christ commanded us to love ALL of those in whom His Father created? Absolutely! He even covers those who don’t act in a lovely manner to us. In Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. (NKJV)
Christ doesn’t exclude your accountability to love those who hurt you, nor does he say to just think good thoughts toward them, He states we should do good to them as well. Is this easy, No; however you can STILL exemplify Christian Love to all, no matter who they are or what they’ve done. Yes, it will be difficult; you will fight against your natural thoughts and feelings, you will have to come out of your “comfort zone”. But rest knowing the power of God’s indwelling Holy Spirit can accomplish and manifest anything in and through you, when you completely avail yourself to HIM.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Joy in the Midst of Trials
Growing up I always loved walking around the house singing the songs I heard sung by our choir. One of these songs was “I get joy when I think about what He’s done for me”. Whenever I heard this song I would just smile, start singing, and just be full of happiness. I thought I had a full understanding of what it meant to be joyful. I thought that life would always be full of happy and joyous moments. What I didn’t realize as a child, was that there would be times when life’s circumstances would hit me like a ton of bricks, and that retaining or living in that joy would be strained.
As I grew in age, wisdom and understanding of whom God was and what was made available to me as His child; I began to understand how to identify the great things God was doing in my life and remain joyful. But I also found that real joy doesn’t only come through happy moments in life, but real joy can also be experienced in the midst of hard trials.
How is that possible? You can you experience real joy in the midst of trials when you have a true understanding of God’s purpose and plan for you, and that nothing that happens can change God’s course of action for you. The Lord assures us in His Word in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV) Talk about a reason to be joyful!!! God has a plan for your life!! That should be reassuring for every child of God that no matter what you face or go through, no matter how hard the trial; your life isn’t something that just happened. It’s all been planned by the Almighty God! If that isn’t assuring enough His Word also teaches in Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (NIV) This knowledge should produce great joy!! As we continue on this journey let’s determine to find joy in everything we go through knowing God has a plan, is in control, and that as long as we’re in His hands things will always be alright!
As I grew in age, wisdom and understanding of whom God was and what was made available to me as His child; I began to understand how to identify the great things God was doing in my life and remain joyful. But I also found that real joy doesn’t only come through happy moments in life, but real joy can also be experienced in the midst of hard trials.
How is that possible? You can you experience real joy in the midst of trials when you have a true understanding of God’s purpose and plan for you, and that nothing that happens can change God’s course of action for you. The Lord assures us in His Word in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV) Talk about a reason to be joyful!!! God has a plan for your life!! That should be reassuring for every child of God that no matter what you face or go through, no matter how hard the trial; your life isn’t something that just happened. It’s all been planned by the Almighty God! If that isn’t assuring enough His Word also teaches in Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (NIV) This knowledge should produce great joy!! As we continue on this journey let’s determine to find joy in everything we go through knowing God has a plan, is in control, and that as long as we’re in His hands things will always be alright!
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