1 John 4:13-16
"This is how we know we're living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He's given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. ... Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God." (The Message)
Over and over John reminds his readers that our ability to love comes from the Spirit of Christ alive within us. Love comes from God. Love God, love each other. You would think John knew how hard this simple concept would be to grasp! Our d365.org writer today recalled the Acts story of Philip sharing the story of Christ with the traveling Ethiopian. A chance encounter (NOTHING is chance with the Holy Spirit!) that was made sacred because Philip saw the opportunity and shared the love. The authors challenged us to ask, What persons has God put in front of us that we must love for God's sake? We might not even suspect that God is at work in the relationship. And then I thought, "I don't need to look too far for someone to love. My neighbors are a family in need, a family with both physical and spiritual needs. Perhaps God is calling me to start right there." Quit judging their values and priorities and do what I can to make God's love alive for them. Love needs to start right next door.
"By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
ReplyDelete(Gal. 5:22–23)
You are right, Ginger, we start with our self, then grow to our home, our neighborhood, our community, our world, all of creation in divine LOVE. We, who are called are the "first fruits", "we are graphed to the "tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations." (Rev. 22:2)
But it isn't a matter of NOT judging their values and priorities, it IS a matter of judging their values and priorities for what the will become as people of God (whether they know they are Gods people or not)we judge for acceptance NOT rejection and we judge for the future not the present. Gideon was a timid man yet God called him a man of valor and that IS just what Gideon became. Simon was not a rock to be an anchor yet Jesus called him a rock and that IS what Peter became. There is no "perhaps" God DOES call us/you to became aware of our/your neighbors/neighborhood. You ARE now aware, it is time to understand what you are aware of, then examine this understanding to grow your ministry. with this you can become free to follow God's lead and commit to Gods lead and calling. Just remember, your love IS the fruit of the Spirit. May you bear the other fruits of the Spirit; joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Your brother,
Jim