CHRISTIAN LOVE

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to
love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
(Romans 13:8)

MEDITATION:
Just to be clear, ‘true’ followers of Jesus Christ do not have
a “holier than thou” attitude. No true Christian looks down
their nose at non-Christians, nor does he or she consider
themselves better than others.

True believers are led by God’s instructions and one of His
instructions is for us to not only avoid feeling superior to
others, but in fact, consider them as more important than
ourselves.
    “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
      Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
      not looking to your own interests but each of you
      to the interests of the others.”
      (Philippians 2:3-4)

There is a reason He commands us to do that – it teaches us
to be humble (which means we are grateful for what God has
given us, but at the same time, we do not consider ourselves
better than others). Humility creates a selfless attitude in us.

Being humble doesn’t mean we think less of ourselves, it means
we think of ourselves less. Humility requires strong character and
confidence. It is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. It
takes strong character to avoid things like bragging, gossiping,
having uncontrolled anger, being jealous, wanting revenge, holding
grudges, and developing arrogant pride.

So then, why do Christians want lost people to be saved? It is
because they care more about non-Christians than many of
them care about Christians. It is a love for others which is part
of the total package when God gives us a new spiritual birth.

Think about this for a second:
    When someone gets something special and valuable, often
    they don’t want others to have the same thing. Not so with
    Christians: they know the valuable gift of salvation God has
    given them, and they want everyone to receive the same gift.
    Christians know the benefits that are included with salvation,
    and one of them is to avoid eternal suffering at the end of our
    earthly life.

Christians shutter at the thought of anyone going to hell, because
they have a love for others and they know God has provided a way
to avoid eternal punishment. If a person found a a new cure for a
devastating disease, he or she would want everyone to know about
it, right?

That is exactly the attitude true believers have about God’s gift of
salvation. Of course some may stumble through trying to encourage
others to receive the salvation from God, but remember their efforts
are out of a heart of love for others, and certainly not from a heart
filled with a condescending attitude.

Christians are fans of others becoming the best they can be,
and want to see them enjoy a fellowship with their Creator.
They know that in order to find meaning in life and to enjoy
a new joy and peace, people need a relationship with the Lord.

God extends His offer of a new life to each of His creations.
    We were therefore buried with him through baptism
    into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from
    the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may
    live a new life.
    (Romans 6:4)

God makes it clear that we are all sinners, so no person
is better than their neighbor; He also makes it clear that
every person has the same opportunity to be saved.
    “For God so loved the world that he gave his one
      and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall
      not perish but have eternal life.”
      (John 3:16)

So, if someone wants to share their testimony with you, or encourage
you to accept God’s free gift of salvation, remember to listen to their
heart when their words seem awkward…they are doing their best to
show their love for you, and their concern about where you will spend
eternity.

Christians are God’s agents whom He uses as a conduit to speak to
your heart about the most important decision you will ever make
(remember that making no decision, is really a decision of rejection).
God loves you, and so do true followers of Jesus Christ.

ACTION:
If you are a lost person, how will you react whenever a follower
of Christ reaches out to you with love and a concern of where
you will spend eternity?

If you are a follower of Christ, do you have a strong desire to
see all lost people saved? Have you made preparations not to
witness to others if the opportunity arises?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, create in me the same desire You
have to see all people receive salvation. Prepare my
heart, mind, and attitude now for any opportunities
You have planned for me to witness to someone who
is destined for eternal damnation because they have
not received Your salvation. Help me to be known as
a person who loves others, so they a lost person will
not feel uncomfortable or intimidated if I talk to them
about Jesus and salvation”.

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