"'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
Today's Bible Verse:
"'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.'" (Mark 12:32-33, NIV2)
Don't Do Anything But Love
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