Do I love God? Do I believe in God’s Word? YES absolutely!
Isn’t that what most of us say or would say if asked that important question?
If we love God what would be our response to those who don’t think like I do, don’t look like I do, don’t feel like I do? Do I notice God in others that have a different opinion than I do or should they feel the same as I feel about everything? Do I miss God in someone because I’m looking for myself in them? I’m right of course and so Gods people must feel and act and care the same way I feel and act and care! No, no, no! I am not God and if I am a Christian I do not determine how I or anyone else should think, feel or act… God does. What does scripture mean when it clearly says ye are not your own!?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20-KJV
19 What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
This verse runs against the law of our thinking, does it not? I have a right to determine how we feel and how I want to act and treat others don’t I? No! We don’t!
To be a child of God starts with submission and being a servant of Righteousness.
Romans 6:16-18-KJV
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
We have a choice to make. We can serve sin thus becoming a slave to sin, or we can choose to be a servant of obedience which results in becoming a servant to righteousness. What does verse 17 refer to: 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
This form of doctrine surely refers to the essentials for salvation meaning baptism mentioned earlier in Romans.
Romans 6:3-6-KJV
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
This form of doctrine talked about hear is obedience to the Gospel. The Death, Burial and Resurrection. When we die to sin and are buried in the waters of baptism we are then raised to a new life. When we are baptized we leave the old life of sin and we are now different.
Colossians 3:1-4-KJV
3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Sin is our enemy, Sin does no longer have control of us. If we live to God , then our body, and mind live to serve God.
Romans 12:1-2-KJV
12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
These verses do not mean you will never sin again, though someone still sins this is referring to someone’s lifestyle, meaning someone yields to temptation and sinfulness.
1 Peter 5:8-9-KJV
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
We clearly have a choice, free will to choose how we want to live. Some mistakenly think that they are free to sin, just so long as they aren't hypocrites about it, that the worst form of sin is hypocrisy. Often one hears it said, "I know I'm not perfect, but at least I'm not hypocritical about it."
A few years ago in Texas there were two men who robbed a bank. One wore a ski mask and the other did not. They both were captured and ultimately appeared before the judge for sentencing. The one without the mask could have stated, "Look, I know that robbing the bank was the wrong thing to do, but at least I was not hypocritical about it. I didn't try to cover up who I was. I was open and honest. That should be worth something as far as leniency is concerned." The judge sentenced both men to the same time in prison.
A hypocrite is defined as a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or morality. This often manifests as criticizing others for behaviors that they themselves engage in, leading to the phrase "saying one thing but doing another".
Hypocrisy can stem from various psychological factors, including:
Cognitive Dissonance: The discomfort experienced when one's beliefs do not align with their actions, leading to rationalizations that allow for hypocritical behavior.
Self-Righteousness: An inflated sense of moral superiority can lead individuals to judge others harshly while excusing their own similar behaviors.
Fear and Low Self-Esteem: Hypocrisy may serve as a defense mechanism to avoid confronting personal shortcomings or failures.
To reduce hypocritical behavior, individuals can:
Examine Personal Values: Reflect on one’s moral compass and ensure that actions align with stated beliefs.
When we say we love God what does that mean to us?
When we say we love God, it means we are committed to a relationship with Him that is characterized by worship, trust, affection, gratitude and obedience. Where do we receive the pattern to live by? The life of our savior in God’s word as He lived on this earth.
To live like Jesus, we must focus on embodying His teachings through love, humility, service, compassion and forgiveness in your daily life.
Practice Compassion
Jesus demonstrated compassion throughout His life, often reaching out to those in need. To emulate this, show kindness and understanding to others, especially those who are marginalized or suffering. This means actively listening and offering help without judgment.
Do we, can we practice empathy?
Put yourself in others' shoes and try to understand their feelings and experiences. Jesus demonstrated empathy through his compassionate actions, deep emotional responses, and teachings that emphasized love and understanding for others. Teaching with Compassion: Jesus often taught about love and mercy, emphasizing the importance of empathy in relationships. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) exemplifies this, showing that true neighborly love transcends social boundaries and requires action for the well-being of others.
Luke 10:25-37-KJV
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Which one would be you in this story?
(Philip Yancey, What’s So Amazing About Grace?)
“I heard (this story) from a friend who works with the down-and-out in Chicago:
A prostitute came to me in wretched straits, homeless, sick, unable to buy food for her two-year-old daughter. Through sobs and tears, she told me she had been renting out her daughter – two years old… She made more renting out her daughter for an hour than she could earn on her own in a night. She had to do it, she said, to support her own drug habit. I could hardly bear hearing her story… I had no idea what to say to this woman.
At last I asked if she had ever thought of going to a church for help. I will never forget the look of pure, shock that crossed her face. “Church!” she cried, “Why would I ever go there? I was already feeling terrible about myself. They’d just make me feel worse.”
What struck me about my friend’s story is that women much like the prostitute fled toward Jesus, not away from him. The worse a person felt about herself, the more likely she saw Jesus as a refuge. Has the church lost that gift? Do the down-and-out, who flocked to Jesus when he lived on earth, feel welcome among his followers?”
I would say to someone if we understand God’s word, if we don’t act like Jesus acted (God Manifested in flesh) we don’t understand how to answer the question. Do I love God? Do I believe in God’s Word? We have been bought with the blood of Christ and ye are not our own!
