This Is How We Love

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:16-18 NIV

I think this world struggles to know what love really is. I think sometimes we as Christians overthink it at times. I read a post the other day where someone was writing that in a relationship you needed to look for someone who sought to fulfill your needs, not just their own. It reminded me of one of my professors from college, way back in the day. He said that the problem with many relationships was it was just two people trying to get their needs met, which is like two ticks without a dog.

Christianity is not about getting our needs met. In Christ, we realize some needs are met now in Christ and others won't be fully realized until we see him face to face. Now, we get a glimpse, when we see Christ in glory we'll see it all. Christianity, as one person put it - the upside down kingdom - calls us to die to ourselves and put others first. Love is seeing an actual need and meeting it. 

One of my friends was struggling financially a few years ago and I happened to have a few dollars I felt I should use for God somehow. I got him the money anonymously. He told me that someone gave him some money and it wasn't a lot but it was a real answer to prayer because he was able to buy some food for he and his daughters. Now, I'm not trying to glorify myself because I know my own sinfulness, but, what I am trying to point out is that whatever we do in Jesus' Name will bear eternal  fruit. The point is that sometimes we see a need and we do what we can. I knew the money I gave my friend wasn't going to take away his financial problems, but, God will do what he wants with what we give. That is love. 

Know You Are In Christ

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not  do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 

I John 2:3-6 

Many moons ago I attended Capernwray Bible School, in England. One of my roommates was from Kenya and every afternoon he would go through a little karate routine. One day one of the fellas asked him, "Do you really know karate? OK, hit me!" He said he didn't want to hurt anyone, so this guy from Canada went at him and knocked him down. After that every time the kid did his little routine someone would would go at him shouting, "Show me some karate!" It was obvious he didn't really know karate no matter what he said.

In the same way just because we call ourselves Christians, read the Bible, go to church, sing songs and go through all the motions, that doesn't make us Christians. The danger of course is that the enemy will just come at us and knock us down. Just like the seven sons of Sceva in Acts 19:13-17 were beaten by the man with the evil spirit we might be beat up if we really don't know Christ. I don't want to be judgemental here. Because I believe if God can save me and his Spirit can move in me, God can work in anyone. My point is that at some point we should be able to say that we love others because Christ loved us first. Our love will be imperfect but, covered by his grace, it will cover over a multitude of sins.

Father, help us to love as you loved us. Praise be to you in us today!

REGARD FOR THE WEAK;Psalm 41:1-3 and Happy Mother's Day!

"Blessed is he who has regard for the weak;
     the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.
 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life;
     he will bless him in the land
     and not surrender him to the desires of his foes.
 The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed
     and restore him from his bed of illness." Psalm 41:1-3

So many truths in Scripture are a two edged sword. Repent and be saved. Forgive and be forgiven. Die to yourself and live. And here in Psalms we are reminded that we are to have regard for the poor. 

What kind of person are you? Do you consider that state that someone else is in with any sense of compassion and empathy? You may not be able to rescue a person from the circumstances in their life, but, do you have any regard for them? 

I have a good friend who has been struggling for a few years trying to get a job. So, many times I wanted to help, but, was unable to help (financially). But, I prayed with him and tried to empathize with him. After a lot of prayer together (and I am sure not just by me) a door seems to be opening, he has had work these last two months. Sometimes we are reminded that we are not God and only he can act Sovereignly and provide for the needs of his people. (Yes if you can give, give.)

This is no formula. We are not talking about a universal law of karma. We are simply remembering that God wants us to have regard for the weak. He will take care of us.

Father, thank you that you know are needs even before we do. Praise be to you in us today!

*By-the-way, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to my mom, my lovely wife (an awesome mom), and and the mom's who love their children like only a mom can!