Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24)

The Holy Spirit has been polishing today’s Spiritual GEM in the midst of the divisiveness, disrespect and dishonor running rampant in the world today and most sadly in the family of God.

Today’s scripture, Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT) says…Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Consider…
We’re living are in a world hindered by hate rather than liberated by love. That’s not what saddens me though, what disappoints me most is the misrepresenting “people of God”.

I hear God’s admonition from James 4:4-5 (NLT)…You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. [5] Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.

Far too many people who profess to God’s children seem to be more interested in being accepted and approved by the world than living adopted by God. I say that because too many of us live contrary to Jesus’ expectation in Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT)…“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. [44] But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! [45] In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. [46] If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. [47] If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. [48] But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Lord knows we don’t love our enemies! 😔

Yet, did you notice that it was a hated Samaratin enemy that was identifiied as a neighbor because he showed mercy by coming to the aid of the beaten and battered Jew, rather than his fellow Jews or religious leaders. 🤔

Perhaps our struggle stems from our misunderstanding of why God tells us to love like Him! 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT) explains…But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

We’re supposed to love like God to show goodness to others! Love is selfless, not selfish, like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 1 John 3:16 (NLT) tells us…We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

And the like Jesus, we should be showing others love as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)…Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud [5] or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. [6] It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. [7] Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Notice, love endures, and by contrast hate attacks. That begs the question, what’s our response to the evil happening to or around us? Lovingly enduring or hatefully reciprocating.

The Holy Spirit is emphasizing Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT) reminds us…Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. [13] Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. [14] Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Unfortunately I see too many inappropriately dressed “Christians”.

It’s not a coincidence that Jesus taught in Matthew 5:9 (NLT)…God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

If we’re truly God’s children, why aren’t we visible peace workers in this world of hate mongerers.

1 Peter 2:11-12 (NLT) admonishes believers…Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. [12] Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

We should look different than unbelievers, unfortunately too many of us don’t.

While reading through Exodus, I found it telling and still relevant that God told His chosen people, just like we are, Exodus 22:21 (NLT)…“You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.

Perhaps we mistreat foreigners, others not like us, because God hasn’t delivered us from anything. You see if you’ve never seen yourself as a sinner, you cannot comprehend or extend Grace. As a matter of fact, if you never recognize that you were an enemy of God, you cannot appreciate and appropriate the love of God.

Recall, Romans 5:6-10 (NLT) informs us…When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. [7] Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. [8] But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. [9] And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. [10] For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.

In case we don’t realize it, sinners are enemies of God.

Perhaps it would be good to read Ephesians 2:2-3 (NLT) in the same way I read Exodus 22:21. It says…You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. [3] All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

All believers in Jesus Christ have been delivered from God’s anger, not because of ourselves. Ephesians 2:4-5 (NLT) explains…But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, [5] that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

Do you see it, God loved us and showed us mercy WHILE we were sinners, and saved us by HIS GRACE.

Here’s what we miss though, Romans 3:22-24 (NLT) explains…We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. [23] For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. [24] Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

God doesn’t see ethnicity, status, religion, etc…He sees those who believe in His Son Jesus Christ and those who don’t. Our charge is to inspire others to believe in Him with us. And we show that by our love.

Remember Jesus says in John 13:34-35 (NLT)…So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. [35] Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

We’re called to love like Jesus. That hit play on Lloyd Nicks singing…

Quick to judge
Quick to be defensive
Walls up, I’m easily offended
But I know I really need
A heart change

I just wanna love like Jesus
The kinda love that
Don’t need a reason
No strings attached
No questions asked
You give it all
And you’re never gonna take it back
It’s not for me to say who’s worthy
Everybody needs his grace and mercy
‘Cause I just wanna love like
Love like
Love like Jesus

Here’s my pride
I’m tired of being selfish
No more starting wars
With someone different
‘Cause Jesus never had conditions
I wanna learn how to give
What I’ve been given

I just wanna love like Jesus
The kinda love that
Don’t need a reason
No strings attached
No questions asked
You give it all
And you’re never gonna take it back
It’s not for me to say who’s worthy
Everybody needs his grace and mercy
‘Cause I just wanna love like
Love like
Love like Jesus

It’s not lost on me that Jesus raised the bar for loving others to loving like He loved us, not how we love ourselves. That’s the standard we’re called to love like. That because Jesus’ love is ALL inclusive as described Psalms 36:7-9 (NLT)…How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. [8] You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights. [9] For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.

Anything that excludes others from experiencing God’s goodness, through us, reflects a glaring flaw in God’s master piece. That’s because Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) teaches us…For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

We’re meant to show God’s goodness in the midst of, and in contrast to all the badness.

Recall Jesus also told us Matthew 5:16 (NLT)…In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

If every believer asked, and were governed, if their actions inspire others to praise God, this world would be a lot brighter. 🕯️🕯️🕯️

Far too many people want the spotlight rather than being God’s floodlight. Perhaps many of us should do a light check as Jesus said in Luke 11:35-36 (NLT)…Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. [36] If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”

If love isn’t fueling your light, 1 John 4:20-21 (NLT) admonishes…If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? [21] And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.

Sadly, John is just encouraging fellow believers to get along, how prophetic and presently relevant was his admonition.

Here in the America, we celebrate our self-centered freedom, yet Paul tells all believers in Galatians 5:13-15 (NLT)…For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. [14] For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [15] But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

The Holy Spirit is telling us that God’s love, our standard, seeks to serve not satisfy. That makes me know if we want our way, it’s not God’s way.

The Holy Spirit gave me the image of a nursing mother who lives to serve her baby, not be satisfied by him/her. That’s what God’s firstborn Son declared, and challenges us His followers, was His purpose here on earth in Matthew 20:26-28 (NLT)…But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, [27] and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. [28] For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

When the world speaks in hate, the Lord calls us to serve in love. And when the world is loud, God calls us to quietly love.

That reminds me of Proverbs 15:1-4 (NLT) advice…A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. [2] The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. [3] The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. [4] Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

Let’s be different, while the world is spewing hate, let’s be like our Heavenly Father and Big Brother and spread His to everyone everywhere! 💕

Today’s song is…
Spread Love

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)