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Love in Action

    If you were to take some of your community of believers outside of a church setting, what would differentiate them from everyone else? Would anything about them stand out as different? If you didn't know them, would you recognize them as Christians? Now, take that one step further. Ask yourself the same question. Do you stand out among the people you interact with on a day to day basis? Do people in your workplace or at your school see you as different from everyone else?

    If the answer to those questions isn't yes, then you may want to consider your heart towards Christ. Think about it this way… When you really love someone, it moves you to show them that love by how you act. In a healthy marriage, each spouse counts it a joy to serve the other. The husband may find joy in being able to provide for his wife because he loves her. And likewise, the wife may find joy in cooking and taking care of him out of her love. It is the same when we love someone in any relationship-- it moves us into action.

    So what about our relationship with Christ? We are called into deep relationship with Jesus. We are told that He is to come above all other relationships in our life. How do we treat Him in comparison with the others in our lives? Are we actively showing our love for Him every day? Or is it a struggle to do what He asks of us? If we know our God's true character, we should love Him. If we love Him, we should be able to serve Him joyfully.

Matthew 22:36-39 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (NIV)

     Now let's address the second most important commandment-- loving others as yourself. This is something you've probably heard many times, but do you actually live it? Do you actually regard others as highly as yourself? We should be recognized as Christians by our actions, not by our words. It all starts with a love for our God and others, and a desire to serve. What follows that is an obedience to what the word actually says. When we live according to the word, we draw attention to Christ in us. From there? Salvation! The best part is that when we live out the word, it blesses us greatly, then others get saved naturally!

John 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (ESV)

    This is what I challenge you with today-- live out God's word. Recognize His goodness towards you and love Him for it. Love the Lord far more than you love your wife, your kids, your mom, your dad, your best friend, or anyone. Put Him first and I promise you will see your life transform before your eyes. Do not speak of your love for Christ and fail to put it into action. How many lives can you save by simply loving Jesus and others?

James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (NIV)

James 2:14-19 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (NIV)


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