Show- Don't Tell

 

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.  You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.  They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.  We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.  This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.  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." I John 4:1-8

 

 

It requires no special skill whatsoever to be selfish and narcissistic.  We, as Americans, feel particularly entitled to obtaining every happiness for ourselves.  The "pursuit of happiness" has taken on a life of its own.  Don't get me wrong, I am so grateful to live in a free country where I do not have to always be a maid because my mom was a maid.  I am glad that we can chart our own course-  to a certain degree.  But after a while, we can go a bit overboard in our pursuit of self-fulfillment.  Like most things, seeking personal satisfaction should be done in balance.

 

It is infinitely sad to me how many children are raising themselves because their parents are too busy pursuing their own leisure activities to spend time with them.  It is tragic to see families going without what they need because Daddy is gambling away his payday or mom is purchasing cocaine with the bill money.  Love has a caretaking component involved.  Parents should love their children enough to take care of them, even if they forfeit one of their dreams or hobbies to make it happen.  But parenting is just one example of how we fail to show love to people.

 

People kill, steal, rape and terrorize other people because they do not love them.  Or at least they do not love others as much as they love doing what they want.  But should we really be surprised when the world (the unsaved) behave selfishly and unloving?  A sinner will sin.  That is the nature showing up in action.  But what of Christians?  How much of a difference should there be between the church and the world in matters of love?

 

The plumb line is the same for those within the church as it is for those outside the church:  if we do not love, we do not know God.  That's it.  One size fits all.  Anyone  can give lip service  to love.  Saying "I love you" is easy.  We  can say it whether we mean it or not.  But if we are truly going to demonstrate love, there will always be a component of sacrifice. 

 

I once saw an interview with a mother who had gotten out of her car, leaving her kids inside.  After she was out, she noticed the car was rolling.  She ran to the car, grabbing the bumper, trying to stop the car; she dashed and tried to open the door but it was locked... the car crept ever closer to a cliff...  Finally, she did the only thing she could to save her children- she threw herself down in from of the car tires to stop it.  Did she love her children?  Without a doubt.  That love cost her something- leaving her permanently unable to walk.

 

Do you show love to the world?  Does it cost you something?  Is it tangible, something others can see and feel?  Love God?  Love the lost.  One of the most poignant passages of scripture to me is when Jesus saw Peter after his resurrection- following Peter's denial of Christ after his arrest.  Three times Jesus asked him "Peter do you love me?"  Repeatedly Peter affirmed he did; repeatedly Jesus admonished him "Feed my sheep."  When we show love to others, we are showing love to the One who laid it all down for us.  His sacrifice was greater than a paralysis; he gave all.  What must you give to show love?

 

 

 Dear Lord, help me love not only in words, but in deed.  Help my love be tangible to the people I meet and thank you for so loving me.    In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

Sherri