"For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect." - Matthew 5:46-48
Christ gave us an example to follow here: not to mimic a good person or mirror a loving companion, but rather imitate the perfection of God Himself.
How do we do that? We show the people the same things God has shown to us. He promises to give us plenty of opportunities to do just that.
It's easy to love people who love you. It's easy to love people that you are naturally drawn to. But we are called to have fellowship with those we may not have affection towards.
Someone's view of God may be swayed in one direction or another based on how you, as His follower, treat those around you.
You want to show the world Christ? Don't let your likes and dislikes govern how you love.
You never know who is observing your life. What conclusions are they drawing? What characteristics of God are you revealing?
People don't identify us as Christ followers by the amount of good deeds we do, but rather how God-like we are. People see a clear picture of God where they see a clear picture of love, as pure and perfectly expressed as we are humanly capable.
If we are truly transformed by the power of His grace and washed in His redeeming love, our lives will show it.
The Holy Spirit within us should rush like a fountain through our hands, our feet, our mouth, our eyes. If our heart is wrapped up in Him, it will show in what we do, what we look at, and what we say.
Our worship should not be restricted to a Sunday morning. Sing praises to God and reveal His glory in the smallest details of your day.
Want an awesome opportunity to show the love of God to our neighbors? Join us at the Community Picnic tonight! Just bring a few side items and join us at 6 PM or whenever you can get here! The weather is better than we anticipated, but the free food, fellowship, and fun will still take place upstairs in the Worship Center! We'll see you tonight!