1 John 4:13-16
And he has put his own Holy Spirit
into our hearts as a proof to us that we are living with him and he with
us. And furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now tell all
the world that God sent his Son to be their Savior. Anyone who believes
and says that Jesus is the Son of God has God living in him, and he is
living with God.
We know how much God loves us because we have
felt his love and because we believe him when he tells us that he loves
us dearly. God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God
and God is living in him.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
Sometimes when I tell
Nathan “No,” he has started responding with “You don’t love me
anymore.” I laugh and assure him that indeed, I do love him very much.
It’s a manipulative ploy on his part to get me to change my mind. We
both know how much he is loved – by me and countless others!
Whether
the children can verbalize it or not, they recognize the love and care
that many adults continually pour into their lives in dozens of ways.
From the personal notes Timothy’s mother puts in his lunch box…to the
extra towels I roll up in their swim bags so they won’t be cold after we
get out of the pool…to the sacks full of beautiful barely-worn clothes
that a dear friend from church generously shared with Zola – these kids
know that they are loved. I am hopeful that they will grow to
understand just how much they are loved…how much is done for them behind
the scenes. I am trusting that they will want to demonstrate their
gratitude for such boundless kindness and affection…particularly by
“paying it forward” to others.
I know it doesn’t always work out
this way. Plenty of children who were loved madly grew up to be spoiled,
unappreciative, and presumptive – as if the world owed them
everything. And there are all sorts of levels of this in between. But
our goal is to instill in others a healthy balance of unconditional love
and acceptance – and a sense of respect and responsibility.
Jesus
gave us the Holy Spirit so that we would always feel His presence, love
and guidance. His intention is that we feel so safe and loved that we
operate in confidence – not arrogance! Jesus wants us to draw on the
wisdom and loving guidance of the Holy Spirit as we move through our day
– and to convey these gifts and blessings to others.
Yesterday, I
told the 6th-grade Sunday school students that one of the best ways we
can proclaim the love and Good News of Jesus to others is by our daily
living…how we speak and act – and how we treat others. If we are
negative and critical…if we call others ugly names and talk about them
disparagingly…if we discriminate, bully and condescend…others will
certainly NOT see Jesus in us. And when we do these things, we are not
living in God.
So how are you living today? Are you
demonstrating the power and blessings of the Holy Spirit in your own
life? Are you offering others an example that makes them say, “I want
the Holy Spirit to dwell in me!”…a model that makes others want your peace and joy in Jesus for themselves? Isn’t it time you did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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