“Out of the overflow of the
heart, the mouth speaks.” Lk. 6:45
How
we view God determines how we view ourselves. If we truly believe God is who He
says He is, our thoughts, words and actions will appropriately follow.
Authentic faith is verified in our actions.
God
tells us that faith without works is dead (Jms 2:26). If our identity is truly based
in Jesus, our works are “an outpouring” of our love for Him. Yet, if our identity
is based our own works and accomplishments, at our core, we view God as one who serves us (not visa versa).
This
week we visited 4 college campuses and posed this question:
“If you are
the only sober person at a party, how do you feel?”
With
regard to Believing students, we found 2 responses particularly revealing:
1) One
Christian exclaimed that he loves to be the only non-drunk person at a party
because he can “run circles around people, intellectually”.
2) Another
Christian answered that he enjoys being the only sober person at a party
because he can help “protect his friends”, and “my drunk friends let down their
guard, allowing us to communicate at a much deeper level”.
What do these 2 very different answers reveal about these 2
individuals hearts?
Only God knows for sure, but the first person seems to
reveal insecurity, pride, and desire for control. The second person seems to
reveal compassion, love for others and a desire to understand and protect.
In which of these 2 people's actions do you see more of Jesus?
...Yep, so do the many other hungry, thirsty, and hurting who are watching!
God beseeches us to love one another:
“People will
know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”( Jn. 13:35)
And He warns us,
“Those who oppress the “poor” show
contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the “needy” honors God...knowledge
puffs up, while love builds up.” (Prv. 14:31, 1 Cor. 8:1)
Jesus
created people to be loved and He created knowledge and things to be used.
Our
foolish world teaches us the opposite: knowledge and things are to be loved and
people are to be used.
Which value do your actions
reflect?
Oh Lord,
may we desire to know You more, find You insatiably irresistible, being filled
to overflowing as You embrace and infuse us in Your astounding love. Amen.
Much
love and big hugs, ~Shaun and Betsy
“You have
purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit to unfeigned love
of the brothers, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently.” 1
Pet. 1:22
