Matthew 7:13-23July 26, 2009
Have you ever heard the quote, "This church would be great if it wasn't for the people!" It is often so easy to disregard people because relationships are hard, messy and disappointing. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Paul makes it clear that the greatest thing we possess is love, and without love we become annoying, we are nothing and we gain nothing. Real discipleship is obedience to loving as Jesus loved and we often find out that it is a narrow gate and many do not wish to participate. The fruit that a disciple of Jesus should always cultivate is love. Here are this week's apps to help cultivate Christ's love in your life.
App #1: "Exercise the fruit of love more than your personal gifts." Often we may wrongly think someone's fruit is their gifting. In other words, one may be a great preacher and when we read "you will know them by their fruit," we think, "preaching," is their fruit. But my own personal experience shows me that preaching as Jesus did is much easier than loving as Jesus did. Preaching may be my gift, but Christ-like love is my fruit. Exercising our gifts rarely makes our love grow, but exercising our Christian love always allows our gifts to grow.
App #2: "Practice loving people authentically. They will notice!" Anything can be turned into legalism... including love! No one really wants to feel like a charity case. People want to be loved because of who they are, not so you feel better about yourself.
App #3: "Bless three people this week and make sure that one does NOT deserve it!" Now, I understand that biblically none of us "deserve" it, but I think most of you know what I mean. Try tipping a crabby waiter really well or giving a sincere compliment to negative co-worker and see what happens... A blessing can go along what to change someone's day (not to mention their life).
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