}Loving beyond the walls
[Loving the world on
purpose]
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} 11/13/15
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“For When Gentiles, who
do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are
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a law to themselves,
even though they do not have the law.
They show that the work of the
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law is written on their
hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting
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thoughts accuse or even
excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges
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the secrets of men by
Christ Jesus.” Romans 2:14-16
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“Or is God the God of
Jews only? Is he not the God of
Gentiles also? Yes of Gentiles
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also, since God is one –
who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised
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through faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this
faith? By no means! On the
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Contrary, we uphold the
law.” Romans 3:29-31
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“A new commandment I
give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you,
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you also are to love one
another. By this all people will know
that you are my disciples,
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If you have love for one
another.” John 13:34-35
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Loving beyond the walls
[Loving the world on purpose]
In Christianity, religion, there are so many do’s and don’ts
that sometimes the world simply gets confusing.
Living in the world as a Christian without compromise is a challenge at
times to say the least. In church it’s
so easy to feel at ease when those around you share your love and compassion
for Jesus, but what for those of us that work in the world? It’s not always as simple as going to work,
there are relational issues and philosophies, work isn’t only a mission field
but sometimes a battle ground – especially of the mind.
Renewing your mind
The word of God says not to be unequally yoked with
unbelievers. So what happens when you
find yourself at your workplace with an atheist or Muslim? Quit?
No… Read on… If you’re in a place
where the Holy Spirit led you, then you’re there for a reason – to make a
difference – to make an impact; you’re there to be Jesus to a world who has no
idea who he is other than a dreaded salvation message.
Just because they’re from the world, doesn’t mean
they’re bad…
In the previous scriptures, Romans 2:14-16 talks about the
Gentiles having the law written on their hearts. In the end, it’s God who judges the hearts of
men – not us. When we choose not to walk
in love, and to see others through the lens that God looks at them through, we
become just as bad as the heathen.
Colossians 1:16 says “For by him all things were created, in heaven and
on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or
authorities – all things were created through him and for him.” So if all things were created by him – and
for him, shouldn’t we also look at the unbeliever as a creation of God?
Break down the wall
It’s time to break down the wall… “Do not be conformed to
this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind… (Romans 12:2)
Believers and unbelievers alike follow the law of the land. God has written spiritual law in each and
every one of our hearts. Abraham – a man
loved dearly by God went to heaven, and that was before Jesus came to lay his
life down for him. He was righteous by
faith. So the next time you go into
work, or to the mall – or wherever you go that you know you will be around
people that aren’t quite like you… Pray on how to love them, pray on how to
hear them. Put your armor on and keep
your thoughts on the word. The only way
you will ever be able to discern the truth from the lie is when you know the truth. At the end of the day – the greatest law, the
greatest commandment is to LOVE. Know
that God has made you the head and not the tail, he has given you authority
over all principalities. So put your
blinders on to their differences, get out there and love on people the way
Jesus did. Because when it all comes
down to it, they will only know Him by your love. Not your scriptures, not your doctrines, not
by your judgements or your condemnations… The world will know Him by your love.
Father God, I pray for the
one reading this to come completely unhindered from the things holding them
back from sharing you. I pray they will
develop a greater passion and love for you and for the things that break your
heart. Help us to fulfill your great
comission and bring in the harvest. In
Jesus name ~Amen~
