Go therefore and make
disciples… Matt 28:19 (ESV)
I briefly touched on communication Wednesday. We communicate
who we are by our words and by our actions. We can all think of the person who
seems smart, or not smart, or educated, or uneducated, or honest, or dishonest
… and it’s all by their actions and words. When we call ourselves Christians,
people watch us very closely. Our every action and word can be dissected, and
unbelievers wait for that “aha!” moment when we step out of “goody two shoes”
mode and into a more worldly mode. Then they pounce and tell us that we don’t
act very Christian. Sigh.
God has given us a commission. We are to actively and
intentionally share Him with others. We aren’t supposed to keep the Good News
to ourselves. When we share our faith, we forge relationships that will last through
eternity. We also find people who are striving for what we want – conformity
with Christ. We are bonded with others in the love of Christ. What is the
purpose of that bond?
Therefore encourage one another and
build one another up, just as you are doing. 1
Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
What does that have to do with listening to God?
Each of us is at a different place in our Christian walk.
Perhaps something you are experiencing has been experienced by another in your
circle. S/he can encourage you with scripture that helped during their time of
difficulty. Prayers are offered. Comfort is given. Another person helps you to
better conform yourself to God by offering their experiences to you.
Or perhaps you are going through exactly the same thing as a
friend. You can hold each other accountable, offer prayers, and offer scripture
insights.
If you don’t have someone to look to in times of trouble –
someone who has gone through similar circumstances – how will you know what the
truth of Scripture is? How can you be more like Jesus if you don’t see others
modeling the behavior?
The more you see God modeled, the more you will want to
conform yourselves to God’s truths. The more you want to conform yourself, the
more you will be in the Word to discern His will. The more discernment you
have, the better your walk with Him. The better your walk, the more opportunity
you have to edify others. It’s a beautiful circle of love created by the Father
Himself.
If anyone says, “I love God,” and
hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he
has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have
from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:20-21 (ESV)
After reading this scripture, how do you stack up in the
“loving God” category? I know that I need work!
Can you hate your brother and have good communication with
God? What steps do you need to take to love your brothers more? How will those
steps strengthen your relationship with God? Which one person will you try to love more, starting right now?
For if anyone is a hearer of the
word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in
a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and
goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of
liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he
will be blessed in his doing. James
1:23-25 (ESV)
We all have areas of strength and weakness. We all fit
together like puzzle pieces in the bond of Christ’s love. What step will you
take this week to be less of a hearer
and more of a doer?
How can I pray for you? Email me – take the step to start a
new relationship today! We can edify each other and work together to do more
for the kingdom!
Next week we’ll look at ways God has spoken in the past, and
how we can know that He is speaking to us today. Happy weekend!
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