LIVING AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS (part-10)

SOME SCRIPTURES PROVIDE ADVICE SPECIFICALLY FOR CHRISTIANS

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Dear children, let us not love with words
or speech but with actions and in truth.
(1 John 3:18)

MEDITATION:
When the scriptures use the words, “Dear children”, we know they are
speaking directly to those who have surrendered their lives to the Lord.
Of course, all scripture is valuable, but when Christians see those words
(or similar ones), we should be alert and pay special attention to the advice
following them.

We can see in 1 John that love is an ‘action’ word. John tells us that we can
express love with words but showing love through our actions is much better.
The moment we submit to Christ, God gives us a supernatural capacity for
loving others, because He indwells our heart with the Holy Spirit.

Followers of Christ should love each other in the same manner that God
showed His love for us when He sent His Son to die on the cross. Love is
probably the greatest distinguishing trait of people who have been changed
by the Lord.
    “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have
      loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone
      will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
      (John 13:34-35)

Being ‘changed’ is what we should expect when we surrender to the Lord.
Some of the changes are of a magnitude we never expected, and adjusting
to them requires a conscious effort for us. The Holy Spirit encourages us
to embrace these changes but when our natural tendencies are challenged.
it requires an attitude adjustment to accept the changes, doesn’t it?

We may have naturally loved others before we were saved, but salvation
creates in us a new love with a new depth, passion, and intensity. When
we are changed by the Holy Spirit, we are given a heart for others and we
discover that life is about much more than pleasing only ourselves. Love
can contribute more to solving problems than anything else.

When we allow Him to, the Holy Spirit can teach us the joy of loving others.
Instead of waiting for and expecting others to express love to us, we enjoy
the opportunities we are given for showing love.

Sacrificing for others doesn’t bother us, because our hearts are changed from
‘wanting to be served’, to a ‘desire to serve others’. And when we do, we are
more prepared and willing to serve the Lord in whatever capacity He desires
for us.

The world teaches us to expect something in return for all that we do, but
when we are changed by God’s Spirit, we experience the joy of doing things
for others with no expectations of anything in return (we no longer keep a
balance sheet of what we did for others versus what other people did for us).

According to John, we also learn to be honest and sincere in our love for others.
It is not a superficial love expressed with empty words, but it is a love that is real
and consistent, even during difficult times. When others take advantage of our
love, or fail to show appreciation for our expressions of love, we will still love.

ACTON:
Questions to consider;
    – Have I experienced the changes of becoming a follower of Christ?
    – Have I discovered a new capacity for loving others?
    – How am I showing love for others, and for the Lord?
    – Do I allow myself to get emotionally involved in trials or challenges
       of someone else to the point that not only do I pray for them, but I
       also sense the pain they are feeling? Or, am I still thinking more
       highly of myself than I do of others? (Jesus thought of others first)
           Therefore if you have any encouragement from being
           united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any
           common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and
           compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
           having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 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.
           In your relationships with one another, have the same
           mindset as Christ Jesus.
           (Philippians 2:1-5)

We need to remember that loving others is not just a suggestion from the Lord,
it is a command.
    And this is His command: to believe in the name of his Son,
    Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us.
    (1 John 3:23)

As followers of Jesus, we will be held accountable for any of His commands
we have ignored or disobeyed. Selfishness is not something Jesus embraced
or approved for believers. When we fail to show love toward others, there
is a possibility that Satan has corrupted our minds so much that we fail to
have the attitudes of the One we are following.

How can we tell if Satan has influenced us? We can get an idea when we are
honest with ourselves and think about the times when we could encourage  
or show love toward someone else, but we didn’t. Instead, we rationalize or 
we justify our reasons for not showing love. We could be having thoughts 
such as:
    “I’m living my own life, and others need to do the same”.
    “If I can cope with my challenges, then others should be able to cope with theirs”
    “I’m too busy to spend time thinking about how to love and encourage others”
    “I love the Lord and that’s all that matters”
    “That ‘Jesus stuff’ is for others, but not for me”
    “Other believers aren’t showing me love so why should I show love to them?”
    “I am known for my toughness and showing love to others doesn’t fit my personality”
    “I care about others and pray for them so I’m showing love that’s visible to the Lord”

Through the Holy Spirit, God gives us the ability to love others even when
it seems they are not showing love to us in return. One thing we can be sure
of – expressing love is always productive, and it always pleases God.
    Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will
    cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where
    there is knowledge, it will pass away.
    (1 Corinthians 13:8)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, teach me real love and help me to love others
in the same way You love me. Forgive me if I have been suppressing
the Holy Spirit You sent directly into my heart, to develop in me a
new capacity for loving others, and for loving You. Prepare me in
advance for showing my love to You by embracing whatever You
have called me to do. Help me to discover the spiritual gift You gave
me at salvation and to seek ways to actively use it for serving You.
Help me to realize the importance of the special gift You have tailored
specifically for me.”

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