In the early 70's - the Jesus movement - many of our readers will not be able to remember this - but the song that was very popular, even in secular circles - “They’ll know we are Christian, by our love, by our love” - remember that song?
I know that there was much about the Jesus movement that was questionable and it “petered” out within a few years - communal living, back to the earth movement, etc. However, I often think of the song from the period and the truth of its words.
In Galatians 5:22, 23 New International Version (NIV), “22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
We used to use a system at school (Grades 6 - 8) of trying to reward good behaviour in the students - we called it “catching them doing good” - “positive participation” - rewarding some good deeds rather than spending so much effort and time watching for the breaking of rules. It was quite effective - students doing good in hope of a reward.
I wonder if God “catches us doing good” - showing that we are Christians, worthy of His name. I’m not suggesting that you our readers evaluate yourselves; I am looking in the mirror myself. Would “they” know I am a Christian by my love?
Jesus talked so much about our love for each other. I found nine times that the words “Love thy neighbour or “love thy neighbour as thyself” appear. The fact that it is repeated over and over means something, doesn’t it?
Further, in Philippians 2:3 (NIV), we read “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” or in King James Version, “esteem other better than themselves.” Fulfilling this scripture is quite a stretch for us in North America who have learned from a pretty young age that we are special, that we are first, we are the best, we are the most important.
Then to go back to the scripture, listing what we refer to as “Fruits of the Spirit” - love, joy, peace, ... - could spend many days chatting about each one of these great attributes - putting on the characteristics of Christ.
But what about the last of that scripture - don’t hear that part mentioned much - let’s look at it. “Against such things there is no law.” What an interesting sentence at the end of the list of love, joy, peace.
Several of my friends are either interested in or involved in missions, the spreading of the Gospel to peoples in other nations, peoples who might not otherwise hear of the love of Jesus. But nowadays, that is very dangerous and sometimes very unwelcome by many countries. As just recently as was found out in dramatic fashion, with the Korean Christians who decided to go to Afghanistan to spread the love of Jesus, that it is against the law in that country. But, what if Christians would just go about spreading “ love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” in their day-to-day lives? Who could resist such warm, helpful treatment? And who would make a law against such treatment? Of course, no one. No one can resist the true love of Jesus.
We can all show the love of Jesus to those who do not know about Him or His love for them - and they will not be able to resist. That is my goal - am I always true to that goal, of course not, but that has become what I strive for.
I wonder, too, if people I know that “I’m a Christian by my love” ...
Submitted by Naida
I know that there was much about the Jesus movement that was questionable and it “petered” out within a few years - communal living, back to the earth movement, etc. However, I often think of the song from the period and the truth of its words.
In Galatians 5:22, 23 New International Version (NIV), “22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
We used to use a system at school (Grades 6 - 8) of trying to reward good behaviour in the students - we called it “catching them doing good” - “positive participation” - rewarding some good deeds rather than spending so much effort and time watching for the breaking of rules. It was quite effective - students doing good in hope of a reward.
I wonder if God “catches us doing good” - showing that we are Christians, worthy of His name. I’m not suggesting that you our readers evaluate yourselves; I am looking in the mirror myself. Would “they” know I am a Christian by my love?
Jesus talked so much about our love for each other. I found nine times that the words “Love thy neighbour or “love thy neighbour as thyself” appear. The fact that it is repeated over and over means something, doesn’t it?
Further, in Philippians 2:3 (NIV), we read “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” or in King James Version, “esteem other better than themselves.” Fulfilling this scripture is quite a stretch for us in North America who have learned from a pretty young age that we are special, that we are first, we are the best, we are the most important.
Then to go back to the scripture, listing what we refer to as “Fruits of the Spirit” - love, joy, peace, ... - could spend many days chatting about each one of these great attributes - putting on the characteristics of Christ.
But what about the last of that scripture - don’t hear that part mentioned much - let’s look at it. “Against such things there is no law.” What an interesting sentence at the end of the list of love, joy, peace.
Several of my friends are either interested in or involved in missions, the spreading of the Gospel to peoples in other nations, peoples who might not otherwise hear of the love of Jesus. But nowadays, that is very dangerous and sometimes very unwelcome by many countries. As just recently as was found out in dramatic fashion, with the Korean Christians who decided to go to Afghanistan to spread the love of Jesus, that it is against the law in that country. But, what if Christians would just go about spreading “ love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” in their day-to-day lives? Who could resist such warm, helpful treatment? And who would make a law against such treatment? Of course, no one. No one can resist the true love of Jesus.
We can all show the love of Jesus to those who do not know about Him or His love for them - and they will not be able to resist. That is my goal - am I always true to that goal, of course not, but that has become what I strive for.
I wonder, too, if people I know that “I’m a Christian by my love” ...
Submitted by Naida
posted by Randall | 9:24 a.m.
3 Comments:
Great blog Naida and so very convicting...notice the word convicting,not convincing although convincing it is, however I feel twinges of conviction as I read. Remember the question that asks if I was tried in a court of law for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict me? Food for thought.
Hi Naida
This blog has me coming up with a lot of questions.
Do people know that I am a Christian by my love?
Wow that is a question that a lot of us may be afraid to ask.
Do we show love everyday to the people around us?
Do we have patience with family and friends when they may not see things the way we do?
Do we show self-control when our kids or grandkids are driving us crazy?
Are we faithful to pray everyday for the one's we love?
If you can say yes to these questions you are doing pretty good. I know I can't ---not always.
So if we are having trouble answering yes to these when it is our loved one's, how much harder is it to answer yes when it is strangers?
So where do we go from here?
We take along look at ourself and ask God to show us were we need the most help and we start there.
We start to think about our actions and what they are saying to the people around us.
We ask God daily to help us show His love.
We start thinking of others first and ourself last.
If we start today asking God for His help we will be surprised by the changes we see in our life. When we see changes so will the people around us.
Then maybe people will see God's love in us . This is my prayer that people can see Jesus in my life!
C.M.
About your question:
Who would make a law against such treatment as...LOVE,JOY,PEACE,PATIENCE,
KINDNESS,GOODNESS,FAITHFULNESS,
GENTLENESS,and SELF-CONTROL? US who else,is this law not already in the making and has it not been since Adam&Eve.
We know that man {man or woman} just can't leave well enough alone,so when we look at JESUS and we see all these things, we want to change things our way.
So,maybe we use the other list,you know the one:
SEXUAL IMMORALITY,IMPURITY,DEBAUCHERY,
IDOLATRY,WITCHCRAFT,HATRED,DISCORD,JEALOUSY,FITS of RAGE,SELFISH AMBITION,DISSENSIONS,FACTIONS,ENVY,DRUNKENNESS,ORGIES,and the like.
We know that we would not be happy very long if we lived by this list,but....what if we MIX & MATCH a little,no harm in that is there,you know,a little sexual immorality,wouldn't that give us JOY,or couldn't I get just a little DRUNK,I could practice
self-control......I think I made the point I wanted to make.
I have another question,do you think once we except "JESUS " in to our hearts that,thats the end of SIN for me,and if I do fail {SIN} what then,how about we consider this:
GALATIANS 6 :
Brothers,if someone is caught in a sin,you who are spiritual should restore him gently.But watch yourself or you also may be tempted.Carry each others burdens,and in this way you will fulfill the law of "CHRIST".If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing,he deceives himself.
Coffee
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