Have you ever wondered…what if?
What if Christians reflected Christ?
What if we loved like Christ loves?
What if we chose to make each moment we spend with others reflect God’s heart?
What if we loved well?
What if we chose mercy over judgment?
What if we chose to show love when it was easy to condemn?
What if we CHOSE to break loose from "the normally scheduled program" of how we treat those who disagree with us?
I believe…Better yet, I AM CONVINCED, it would be revolutionary! Churches would be bursting with people dying to be in the presence of love. They would be overflowing with people who would desire and yearn for more of Jesus! Church would no longer be a weekly social club for believers but a hospital for those who need an infusion of God's love in their lives!
What if we treated people like Jesus treated the woman caught in adultery? He had every right to “throw the first stone.” Every right to “tell her about herself.” EVERY RIGHT to condemn her to hell. Yet, Jesus! Pressured by all around to come down on this sinner and reject her….
They kept demanding an answer, so He stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”Then He stooped down again and wrote in the dust.When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:7-11
Jesus, the one with every right to condemn, CHOSE to see past the adulterous woman’s actions. I could imagine her heart was beating with such an intensity as she prepared her mind to die. She prepared to get with the law required.
Yet, in a moment this loving Jesus turned the situation inside-out.
My friends, what if we loved people well?
We often hear people talk about love in the general “Christianeese terms”. Love is patient, love is kind, etc. However, we must choose to take it a step further. Some have become accustomed to loving “just enough” but not “well enough.”
True Godly love is full of mercy.
True Godly love is full of grace.
True Godly love chooses to love others despite the circumstances. It chooses to spend less time condemning and more time developing relationship. This kind of love is patient, gentle, considers the other person.
True Godly love is contagious and draws people closer to God, not away.
I often ponder this question.
How can anyone want a relationship with the God we serve if we treat them with such contempt, such condemnation?
I love how Pastor T.Jay Williams considers the topic of love.
“Seize the NOW moments to treat others gently and with humility. How you treat people reflects the God you serve.”
I urge you today, to not just love. Love WELL. Love with excellence. Love with humility. Love authentically. Love with your actions. Love with your words. Love others how you would desire it to be shown with you.
“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
At Victory Speaks, we believe that how we love God and people will have a direct effect on your ability to tap into what God’s amazing plan for your life. His love will always point you in the direction of victory! For more on a life of victory, follow Victory Speaks here and subscribe below!