Love... Is Defining

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us…

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)

How would people in our church describe us? What are our most defining qualities? Are we…

  1. Kind and always available to help! (“Kind and always available” points to God!)

  2. Professional, respected, and busy! (“Busy” points to business as #1.)

  3. Impeccably dressed with lots of cool stuff! (“Cool stuff” points to an external focus.)

  4. Assertive, with many strong opinions! (“Lots of opinions” points to arrogance.)

  5. Unknown to them. We never approached them! (Outgoing needs to be our middle name:)

Actors, models, and talent for Christ,

Consider a point we must keep in mind:

Every time we walk out of our front doors, the steps we take (in church or in the world)... and HOW WE SHOW LOVE define our journeys. We represent God (or the other side). 

NOTE 1: We weren’t created “to sit” in the stands (cheering or jeering players in the field). We need to enter our fields of assignment.

NOTE 2: As players, we can’t rotate between teams or take a knee on the 50-yard line. Jesus, your Captain, demands your whole heart.

NOTE 3: Trying to straddle the world and the church (or making no choice) are nevertheless considered a choice. Re-read Christ’s letter to the Lukewarm church.

Among the fruit of the Holy Spirit (after love) are 8 assets to nurture as defining qualities for Christians. They attract lost sheep like beacons of light. Not that we’ve perfected them (that’s God’s job), but let’s keep practicing them while we’re here:

Joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control!

Love… Is Defining (Part 37)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re all called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re all called to be models of Jesus. We all have gifts, talents, and a commission to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend DAILY BIBLE READING.

WARNING: Don’t focus on your favorite verses, because taken out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban