Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not think you are superior.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]21
I mean read that and tell me that
your thoughts don't focus on how unrealistic this is?
Tell me you are willing to let go of your right to get payback for wrongs done to you.
To never ever let a snide, or loaded comment leave your lips because it's not your right.
To speak blessing on people who curse you.
To never ever let a snide, or loaded comment leave your lips because it's not your right.
To speak blessing on people who curse you.
My thoughts do not take this course of their own free will.
My perspective sees only the need for me to protect myself.
My perspective sees only the need for me to protect myself.
I know that what Christ wants from
me I cannot ever do.
I know that He knows this.
I know that He has given me His very
own power to be a new creature.
Not a better version of myself but
something not myself at all.
How?
Admit you cannot. Sin is alive and well in you.
Admit Jesus did it for you, died for you and rose a victor over sin. Only admit it if you really can believe He did.
Ask God to wash you clean, make you new and send His Holy Spirit to complete this work in you.
Are you too attached to “you”?
I am, that’s why I struggle. You
see, I kinda like me. I have only known the "me" perspective.
Can you dare to believe there is more?
I get pretty pumped
thinking about the possibilities of living a radical, don’t trust your
heart/emotions/popular advice kind of life.
I get a thrill at thinking the Holy
Spirit could replace me and guide me to Christ-like living.
Why?
Because I have read the New
Testament and what Christ and those who became “new creatures” did was AMAZING.
Raise the dead, heal, reach, teach,
overcome, and surrender. All with the joy nothing can erase. They did not get there relying on their ownselves for all they needed to know. They suffered constantly.
Where their understanding ended they let the Father begin.
Where their understanding ended they let the Father begin.
Is it worth it?
Could you say no to you and yes to
Jesus?
These are THE questions.
Even if you just want to, He can take you the rest of the way.
I totally get this--no way I could ever feel that kind of love, not ever on my own. Some days, it's hard enough with Christ living within me. I'm looking to that one day when it will no longer be a struggle between Spirit and flesh.
ReplyDeleteAnd BTW, per your older post, if you're a spoiled brat, I'm one, too. Hubby spoils me rotten by letting me take a nap each Sunday afternoon while he spends time with the children. It's the best gift he could ever give me. Hope you feel better.