Love... Is Genuine

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him.

Mark 10:21 (NLT)

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Romans 12:9 (ESV)

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.

1 Timothy 1:5 (NLT)

Why do many PKs’ kids go astray? Why do most altar-call conversions fail? (Studies track 95% failure.) Why do church-raised children grow up and leave? *

As a late convert, I was curious. (I was 51 when I committed.) So I’ve thought and studied, and here’s my take on the three fall-away cases above. 

HYPOCRISY!

It’s the same reason it took me so long to give my life and future to Jesus: “Christians” who aren’t practicing what they preach,

  • “Christians” who aren’t acting like Jesus,

  • “Christians” who throw hateful “stones” at the world,

  • “Christians” who aren’t loving, gentle, or kind,

  • “Christians” who gossip and put people down,

  • “Christians” who don’t read Matthew 25,

  • “Christians” who think church is a social club,

  • “Christians” without mercy or forgiveness,

  • “Christians” who turn lost sheep away from Christ.

I saw religious people point fingers, and their self-righteousness seemed arrogant. Their partiality was obvious. Their shows of love were disingenuous.

Here's the thing:

If we can't show kindness to outsiders, no matter their background or appearance, we should stay home and study the Gospels..

Only genuine love will draw lost sheep, altar-call converts to stay in the faith, and convince church kids that Jesus IS real!

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

As your King’s modern-day ambassadors, you know and show how ALL Christians should act. Consider another needed duty":

Challenge your brothers and sisters in Christ to stop talking smack and follow Jesus. Sure, we all mess up, but when we fess up, we’re genuine– not “holier than thou”.

Love… Is Genuine (Part 43)

* Short article: Why are so many young people falling away from the faith? | GotQuestions.org

* Short article with stats: Prodigal Pastor Kids: Fact or Fiction? - Barna Group

* Short article: When Altar Calls Don't Work - Christianity Today

* Here's the Statistics on "Modern Finney-ism" - Logos Sermons

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