1 John 2:3-6
Here’s how we can be sure that we know God in the right way: Keep his commandments.
If someone claims, “I know him well!” but doesn’t keep his commandments, he’s obviously a liar. His life doesn’t match his words. But the one who keeps God’s word is the person in whom we see God’s mature love. This is the only way to be sure we’re in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
It’s probably just me…but I don’t know when I have ever been so keenly aware of people claiming the name of Jesus while “acting a fool.” My mother was a great student of history, and she always noted that name calling and “mud-slinging” are nothing new…that if we knew all that was said and done to Abraham Lincoln, we would completely lose our minds. But my mother was also the QUEEN of the phrase, “Two wrongs don’t make a right!” So just because this has happened throughout history doesn’t mean it is acceptable today.
The point is this…there are a LOT of people running around right now spewing venom in one breath – and inviting people to a Bible study in the next. Lots of people are raising their hands on Sunday morning to worship Jesus, and then shaking their fists at a referee throughout the week. More than a few are wearing their “cross” jewelry and placing signs in the yard to invite people to their particular house of worship…then gossiping, posting ugly things on social media, and disparaging anyone who is different from them – in any way.
Here we go again…PEOPLE ARE WATCHING! And what we say and do – or DON’T say and do – matters greatly. It matters to God…and it matters in our efforts to further His Kingdom. If you want to demonstrate God’s mature love, you have got to make your life match your words and actions that claim this as the case. And this means keeping God’s commandments…ALL of them – especially the one about loving your neighbor as yourself.
So the next time you start to say something that is even a little bit unkind or critical, stop and ask yourself if this demonstrates God’s love for us and others. When you are ready to rail against perceived injustices (or the teacher or referee who did your kid wrong), ask God if this fits into His plans and reflects the teachings of Jesus. When you start to get riled up about this situation or that one, check with God and see what He has to say about operating in offense.
If we want to know God in the right way, we have to fully embrace His commandments – and walk/talk them every minute of each day. People ARE watching. What – and WHO – do they see when they look at you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Here’s how we can be sure that we know God in the right way: Keep his commandments.
If someone claims, “I know him well!” but doesn’t keep his commandments, he’s obviously a liar. His life doesn’t match his words. But the one who keeps God’s word is the person in whom we see God’s mature love. This is the only way to be sure we’re in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
It’s probably just me…but I don’t know when I have ever been so keenly aware of people claiming the name of Jesus while “acting a fool.” My mother was a great student of history, and she always noted that name calling and “mud-slinging” are nothing new…that if we knew all that was said and done to Abraham Lincoln, we would completely lose our minds. But my mother was also the QUEEN of the phrase, “Two wrongs don’t make a right!” So just because this has happened throughout history doesn’t mean it is acceptable today.
The point is this…there are a LOT of people running around right now spewing venom in one breath – and inviting people to a Bible study in the next. Lots of people are raising their hands on Sunday morning to worship Jesus, and then shaking their fists at a referee throughout the week. More than a few are wearing their “cross” jewelry and placing signs in the yard to invite people to their particular house of worship…then gossiping, posting ugly things on social media, and disparaging anyone who is different from them – in any way.
Here we go again…PEOPLE ARE WATCHING! And what we say and do – or DON’T say and do – matters greatly. It matters to God…and it matters in our efforts to further His Kingdom. If you want to demonstrate God’s mature love, you have got to make your life match your words and actions that claim this as the case. And this means keeping God’s commandments…ALL of them – especially the one about loving your neighbor as yourself.
So the next time you start to say something that is even a little bit unkind or critical, stop and ask yourself if this demonstrates God’s love for us and others. When you are ready to rail against perceived injustices (or the teacher or referee who did your kid wrong), ask God if this fits into His plans and reflects the teachings of Jesus. When you start to get riled up about this situation or that one, check with God and see what He has to say about operating in offense.
If we want to know God in the right way, we have to fully embrace His commandments – and walk/talk them every minute of each day. People ARE watching. What – and WHO – do they see when they look at you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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