THE INTERMITTENT WORD ... 29 September, 2014 (back from Brazil) Theres no way around it. Either you love your fellow Christ-follower, or your faith is fake. Lots of people try to get around this. They have special categories, exceptions, and exemptions to the rule of love. But God doesnt. He sees the heart, and so theres no wiggle room. He knows that the condition of my heart determines the shape of my soul. He knows that it doesnt matter how healthy or wealthy or comfortable or content or right I am - if I havent learned to love my fellow Christian, I dont know God. We can deceive ourselves about this, but we cant deceive Him. The Bible says, If anyone says, I love God and yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. (1 John 4:20) Its that simple. Dont try to excuse yourself from this. Instead, use it as a sort of thermometer to test the temperature of your spirit. If youre constantly rehearsing your anger at someone, carrying it for days or weeks or even years, that should tell you that somethings not right inside of you. Even while He was being murdered, Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Lk 23:34) Thats what love looks like. Theres no substitute. Maybe youve been giving yourself special permission to carry a grudge. Well, its time to put that away. Someone has said that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person gets sick. Thats silly. Think it through, and Ill see you on Sunday. Be true!
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 17:08:42 +0000