DaySpring Daily Word of Inspiration: 1 John 4:7-8 – Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
What defines YOU as a Christian? Many people make the assumption that to be a good person is the way to go. Others feel that if you’re not as bad as other people you’ve encountered in life, you should be better off. Still there are those who believe that there is no difference at all.
I’m sure you’ve come across this in you time; I was sharing with an individual about Jesus, what his sacrifice for me has produced in my life and why I believe in his word. We talk and talk, try to hash out some misconceptions about biblical truths and various things that the person believed. After everything was said and done, it finally comes out. “Well, I don’t see the reason I need to be in a church when the folks who go to church are much worse than I am!” It dawned on me at that point that the view of the definition of being a Christian has been tainted, distorted and corrupted.
You may think that helping old ladies cross the street is your Christian identity. You may believe that not cursing, drinking or frequenting the club will help others see your Christian traits. Although these things are great moves to make, they aren’t the keys that will unlock the real connection that God desires when having a relationship with him.
Love is a beautiful thing. I’m not talking about the physical aspects of the word; I’m speaking of the direct response that fosters relationships, grants grace and mercy and shows compassion which is easily thrown to the wayside when we’re offended.
Our passage today suggests the same. Moreover, it sets the stage for our identity with having a real, genuine fellowship with Jesus Christ. There is definitely a conduct that is before every person who considers themselves a Christian, however, without love, this is just an act of sorts. You could genuinely be a person who claims to be a Christian and lives in objection to the outward sins that we sometimes display, but are you a hypocrite in the same regard when you’re around a certain select group of people? That isn’t love, that is a facade. It’s a mask. That is not from God!
True love displays, acts on and continually corrects what needs to be fixed from within so that which flows from a person is the true fruit of godly biblical love that can only be generated by the Holy Spirit. The manifestation should be characteristic of Jesus Christ’s love as displayed toward us as sinners.
Did you notice the actions of those who believed in Jesus when he came around? There was excitement, joy, comfort and a real sense of freedom; to be seen as you were but not feel condemned because of your sinful state but to know that you were loved even in spite of. Jesus’ love was inclusive. His message was convicting but his intention was motivated by love.
How do you make people feel when you come around? Sinner or saint; do they feel hopeless because your measure of sanctity hasn’t been fulfilled or do they feel the absolute love of Christ being lived out and expressed through you and how you conduct yourself, which draws them in? To love in a way that brings others to God, is to know Christ because his love lives through you.
Today, we are praying that your love is expressed not based on your own understanding and beliefs but on the foundations and principles of God’s word and the example of Jesus Christ. There is only one love that will identify you as a true child of God. Who does your life say you know better, Jesus or the enemy? Be Christians who love as Jesus does, you may be the only example of Jesus that someone will ever encounter. Make it count. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!