2 Samuel 4:1-6:23
John 13:31-14:14
Psalm 119:17-32
Proverbs 15:31-32
John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
They will know we are Christians by our love. Have you seen in the church people who profess to be Christians but are more prone to meanness than love? People who are always causing conflict, always angry and critical to others in the body of Christ are the reason why many people leave the church and turn away from Christ. I am sure you have heard people say they have been hurt by the "hypocrites in the church" and that is their reason for not going to church. If we ignore this command from Jesus to love one another as He has loved us then we are hypocrites. We are not perfect and we will fall prey to our emotions and weaknesses. But when we do our hearts should break for any harm that we can be causing and any stumbling block that we might be for someone's faith. We are to be different all the time which means when we fail to follow this command we must take responsibility, apologize and be willing to provide whatever restitution that the ones that we hurt need to restore the relationship. On the youth group retreat we had a couple of students that were very high strung, loud and disruptive and I was very sleep deprived so on Saturday night I was at my wits end and shouted at all them. That night as I lay awake in bed exhausted but not sleeping I was convicted that I needed to apologize to the kids. God impressed on my heart that I am here not just to teach them about Jesus but to show them the love of Christ. If I am going to love them as Christ has loved me I must humble myself and repent. How can they see Christ when my weakness and sinfulness is the garment I am wearing. I want to wear my faith like a coat that others can't help but see Jesus. I think of all times that I did not recognize my sin for what it was and hurt others instead of loving them and I pray that Jesus showed them His love through others.
Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
I think that being able to show love and being aware of our sin is a process that begins when we first receive Christ and continues until He returns. In the meantime the more time we spend in His word the more He will open our eyes that we may see all the wonderful things in it. The more we will learn what it means to be like Jesus and that will help us to grow in faith and obedience to His word.
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