Last week, three friends of mine prayed that God would provide them opportunities to serve him by serving other people. Within the week, God answered all three prayers. In each case, God answered in a way that was not orchestrated or initiated by the people involved. These examples seem to illustrate a very important concept that I find in Scripture: God cares about people. This is the heart of God.
Jesus said that all of the law and the prophets depend upon a two-fold commandment: Love God and love others. John tells us that we demonstrate that we are God's children when we practice (not confess) righteousness and love others. Paul says that the Holy Spirit produces his fruit within us, and that fruit begins with love. Love for people is the heart of God.
As we live our lives - as we attempt to follow the Spirit and live according to Christ-likeness and bring glory to God - many things and situations and circumstances cross our paths. Often, these things distract us from acting according to God's heart - that is, from responding out of love for other people.
According to Jesus, we are distracted or hindered from loving other people by sin in our own lives, which can be manifested in pride, self-centeredness, love of money, love of position, love of authority, and even tradition.
How can we ensure that we are living and making decisions in such a way that we demonstrate that people are more important to us than other things? How can we live according to the heart of God?
Monday, September 17, 2007
The Heart of God
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1 comment:
Alan,
Bryan Riley at CHARIS SHALOM just posted about promoting peace. I think it is related to your post here. He reminded me of my failure to seek the peace that God has called us to.
You have reminded me of my failure to seek his purposes for my life in serving his people.
I think serving his people and seeking peace are definitely enveloped within one another and as you said, it is sin in our lives that prevents us from doing these things.
I pray that God would not only provide me with an opportunity to serve him this week, but that he would remove the scales from my eyes so that I might see this opportunity when it comes.
God's Glory,
Lew
The Pursuit Online Store
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