Don't Do Anything But Love. Kingdom of Power, Part 18
"'Well
said, teacher,' the man replied. 'You are right in saying that God is
one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with
all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your
neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and
sacrifices.' When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him,
'You are not far from the kingdom of God.'" (Mark 12:32-34, NIV2)
The Kingdom of God is all about love, real, genuine love, a
sacrificing love like Jesus demonstrated on the cross, a love that
showed His love for God and for each one of us.
How can we show
our love towards God?
"No one has ever seen God; but if we love
one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." (1
John 4:12, NIV) Our actions will show where our heart is truly focused
on.
One day a man appeared to church near Petersborough, Ontario,
with satanic tattoos woven all over his body. He also wore a hat, even
when in the sanctuary. A deacon, who was shocked by his attire, quickly
called the pastor who was sitting in front of the church: "There is a
man sitting off to the right wearing a hat in the sanctuary! It's a
disgrace! He shows no respect towards God. What would you like me to do
with him?"
The pastor prayerfully consider the options and
answered: "Do nothing!"
"But, but . . ." The deacon protested.
The pastor reiterated: "Do nothing!"
The deacon hung up. Five
minutes later he called the pastor again: "It's a disgrace! This man
sours the experience of everybody in this congregation. We should do
something about this!"
Calmly the pastor repeated: "Do nothing!"
The next week that man with a hat and satanic tattoos came back to
church. He also came the following week and the week after that. After
church that fourth week, he went up to the deacon who had complained so
bitterly about his hat, and told him: "I came to church to shock those
attending. I wanted a controversy, so I could prove you were all
hypocrites. Instead you accepted me with open arms and respected me the
way I am. Never have I seen such love. I would like to become a
Christian."
This man then took a Bible study course and
eventually was baptized.
Love is what attracts people. Words
without actions means nothing: "Dear children, let us not love with
words or tongue but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:18, NIV)
"Look at that woman in our sanctuary! She is definitely a
prostitute. Look how she is dressed!"
What will you do about it?
Rob Chaffart
Don't Do Anything But Love. Kingdom of Power, Part 18
Today's Bible Verse:
"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with
actions and in truth." (1 John 3:18)
Don't Do Anything But Love. Kingdom of Power, Part 18
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