Living Life by Design

As a young Christian I attended a church where we were very involved in the local community and missions. Our senior pastor lived the verse, ‘love your neighbors as yourself’, and taught his congregation to do the same. We were a very warm, inviting and loving church.

There was a young lady (Judy) in the congregation that was always in need…need of a ride somewhere (she didn’t own a car), in need of attention (she couldn’t get it anywhere but church), or in need of money. One afternoon following church she cornered me and asked to borrow $20. I told her that I couldn’t help her because I didn’t have any cash. She then asked if I had a debit card, and suggested that I could run her by the bank. I was indeed taken aback, and somewhat angry that she would ask such a question. Before I could answer the pastor (who had overheard the conversation) jumped in and asked Judy to follow him and he would help her.

That afternoon I took some time to think about the incident. I had to ask myself the difficult question of whether I truly loved Judy or simply tolerated her. It’s easy to say you love someone until it requires skin in the game. Love is not simply a feeling. It involves action: ‘This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for one another. If anyone of you has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in you?’ (1 John 3:16–17).

It’s easy to tell people that God loves them and that you love them. God instructs us that words are not enough: ‘My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love’ (v.18, MSG). Demonstrate your love in the way that Jesus did – by actions, especially towards the poor, and those in need.

God requires two things from us: first, to believe in Jesus, and second, to love one another. If you do these two things, you can be assured that you live in him and that he lives in you: ‘This is how we experience his deep and abiding presence in us: by the Spirit he gave us’ (v.24, MSG).

Ask yourself this question today…’Am I truly loving those around me, not only in words, but Deeds?’