TODAY’S PROPHETIC WORD
As Jesus walked the earth, wherever He went, as Matthew 9:35-36 tells us, He had compassion on all the people, not just some. We as Christians need to show the same compassion to everyone that God puts in our path. Love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. It really is easier being kind to people than being a hater. God always overcomes evil!
RECOGNIZING GOODNESS
When I see God’s goodness, I see Jesus. So does the world.
Unfortunately, the world doesn’t see Him enough. Many Christians don’t demonstrate His love outside the church walls. What good does it do to show love to people who are already saved, then live life as normal while those outside the church live in bondage to sin and death the other six days a week?
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And it you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Don’t even the pagans do that?”
–Matthew 5:46-47
The church has done a poor job of reaching out. It really has.
Yes, birds of a feather flock together, but those turkeys who are supposed to reach out to those in need and those who don’t know Jesus need to get off their blessed assurance and serve people outside the church walls — the poor, old, lame, orphaned, sick, the traveler and the outcast! Yes, they are often hard to love and serving them is challenging, but that’s what shows God’s goodness to the world.
It’s also easy to get comfortable in church and greet those we know without welcoming new people. Trouble is, people feel left out, like they’re on the outside looking in. Not a good testimony for the church.
I remember the old hymn, “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” I always liked that song, but today’s churches are full of people who have forgotten to love outside their little group of believers. How can we bring people to Jesus if they don’t believe He is good because His people only love the people who are just like them?
Let’s not be like that. Let’s be like this…
White and black people standing together against a spirit of racism. A veteran being welcomed home at the airport and honored for their service. An orphan being brought into a family after years of not being wanted by anyone. An unexpected visit to a lonely old lady. Sometimes, goodness looks like a bag of groceries or a check to pay someone’s light bill.
If you feel your heart being challenged with these words, be encouraged.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO JUMP IN AND SPREAD HIS GOODNESS — SPREAD JESUS. BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT EXTENDING HELP AND FRIENDSHIP TO A NON-BELIEVER.
Then they really will know we are Christians by our love.
From my book: GOOD OVERCOMES EVIL
