The Proof of Faith

Featured ~ servantone1 ~ Leave a comment

JESUS SPEAKING

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13: 34 – 33)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Before being betrayed and crucified, Jesus left His disciples with a new commandment; to love one another. In fact, according to Jesus, this manifestation of affection between believers proves the genuineness of an individual’s faith. And so this shared tenderness reveals to the world that we belong to Jesus Christ.

Concerning the discernment of authentic love, we read of an account in the old testament when two women were brought before king Solomon to settle a dispute. Both women were living in the same house, and both had given birth to newborn baby boys. At some point, one of the children was laid upon and died in the night. The first woman claimed that as she slept the other woman switched the babies, so that in the morning when she awoke she discovered the dead child laying in her bosom. She knew immediately that the child was not her baby. With both women claiming ownership of the child, Solomon devised a simple test to discover who the actual mother was. We read, ‘Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king. And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other.”‘ In response, one of the mothers was filled with compassion and responded saying, “O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him!” (The other mother didn’t seek to stop the execution.) Only one woman was willing to relinquish ownership so that the child would live. This affection for the child proved who the real mother was. We read, ‘So the king answered and said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother.”

In much the same way, there is a simple test which can be used to identify genuine followers of Jesus Christ. Only those who truly love their brothers and sisters in the Lord are faithful followers. May we treat our fellow Christians with a special measure of affection, as a testimony of our faith to the world.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to love our fellow Christians with great enthusiasm and affection. Give us that hunger as we seek to serve other believers with “gladness and singleness of heart.” We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

One Father, One Teacher

Featured ~ servantone1 ~ Leave a comment

JESUS SPEAKING

“They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23: 6 – 12)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Jesus chastised the religious leaders for placing themselves between God and man; which enabled them to steal a measure of God’s glory for themselves. He then addressed His disciples, forbidding them from calling anyone on earth their Teacher/Rabbi; as He alone was their Teacher/Master. He also forbade them from calling anyone on earth their Father, because God alone was their Father; rendering them all brothers. Thus He seems to be establishing a singular hierarchy among the body of believers. Pointing others to Christ alone is the first obligation of every believer.

One man who thoroughly understood this principle of servant leadership and pointing others to Christ alone was named John the Baptist. When he saw Jesus He identified Him as the Messiah, saying, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Some time later John’s followers approached him saying, “He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him.” John replied, “He must increase and I must decrease.”

Like John, we must decrease so that Jesus can increase. Our most important obligation as believers is to point others toward Jesus Christ; our one True Teacher. He possesses all of the truth and He alone is the head of the Church. May we continually look to Him for guidance, direction, and discernment. May He live through us as we walk in the light of His leadership. (Note: This does not mean that the church must be entirely devoid of structure.)

“Lord Heavenly Father, we seek to serve You and to point others toward Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we never steal any of Your glory. Give us the strength to obey and the courage to do what’s right in Your eyes. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!

Brokenness

Featured ~ servantone1 ~ Leave a comment

JESUS SPEAKING

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. ‘This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?’ Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” (Matthew 21: 42 – 44)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Jesus refers to Himself as the chief cornerstone upon which the new temple has been built. According to Christ, those who reject Him as the foundation of God’s new work will be crushed into powder. However, those who choose to follow Him must first fall upon Him and be broken to pieces. This brokenness is necessary, because until we are broken, we cannot be reshaped and remade into God’s instruments.

Every butterfly begins its life as a small caterpillar. At some point its outer skin becomes a hard capsule known as the Chrysalis. Within this pouch the caterpillar undergoes an extreme transformation. Nearly all of its body parts are dissolved into a soupy liquid. The remaining imaginal cells then grow into the legs, the antennae, and the wings. After breaking free from this capsule, this creature flies away; another stunning example of God’s perfect design.

In much the same way Christians must be broken (or destroyed) before they can be remade. The old ways must perish and melt away in order for our new lives to begin. We must be willing to let go of anything that stands in the way of God’s desired transformation. May we always be willing to change and never resist the work of God in our lives.

“Lord Heavenly Father, may we maintain a willingness to die to ourselves and be broken, that Your work in us may be accomplished. Transform us into the servants and stewards that You desire, and may we serve You with obedient and cheerful hearts. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!