Revelation 3:16 (nlt) --- But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!
During this reVerb series at The Community, my mind and heart have been hit hard. God has spoken in sweet and huge ways. I am excited, but it is also uncomfortable. Read on:
Lukewarm people love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves. their loves of others typically focused on those who love them in return, like family, friends, and other people they know and connect with. There is little left over for those who cannot love them back, much less for those who intentionally slight them, whose kids are better athlete's than theirs, or with whom conversations are awkward or uncomfortable. Their love is highly conditional and very selective, and generally comes with strings attached. --- Frances Chan, Crazy Love, page 71
That is way to close to home, folks. What do you think? I am convicted that way too many church or religious people really think they love God and show others God's love, but do we really love God and love others?
Jesus had a conversation with the rich young ruler guy that made the man question what it is to really know and love God. Our motivation is question. The way we love is not always what we think it is.
It is like to think about how we get the love of God out of us and out to other people. This is critical. This guy Jesus was talking to loved what he had move than he was willing to love God and others. I close with that story about Jesus...
Matthew 19:16-22 (nlt) --- Someone came to Jesus with this question: "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" "Why ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments." "Which ones?" the man asked. And Jesus replied: "'You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "I've obeyed all these commandments," the young man replied. "What else must I do?" Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
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