August 16, 2020

Let God’s love take over

But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?  1 John 3:17

How does the love of God show up in your life?  What truly blesses you?  Is it when someone comes to you with all the answers you have been looking for?  Is it in being left alone and not being bothered by anyone?  Is it in having many things given to you, such as cars and homes?  What about those around you?  Can you look at others and see exactly what they need?  Do you think you know the answers they are looking for?  Do you think they just want to be left alone and not bothered by anyone?  Do you imagine that you can meet the needs of those beyond you?

Today’s scripture says the God’s love is evident by how we interact with others…Those beyond our family and friends.  It says that if we are able to help someone who is in need, we should do it.  Not judgingly, not grudgingly but willingly and lovingly.  In doing this, we are showing that the love of God lives on the inside of us.

This verse reminds me of something that happened to Jesus as He was walking one day.  He came across a blind man begging.  He didn’t just give some money to him. He actually talked and spent some time with him.  It is what He did with all those that came to Him.  Mark 10:19-51 says, So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.  Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”  And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.  So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”  The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”

The interesting part is that Jesus didn’t assume He knew what the man needed.  He didn’t say, you need to get up from here and go get a job, and He didn’t tell Him He needed to get his sins forgiven.  He actually asked the man “What can I do for you?”  I’m sure it was obvious that the man was looking for food or money.  He probably needed a bath, maybe even a home.  However, Jesus asked a question that looked for the deeper need of the man on the inside.  What was the true need?  The man knew that Jesus had healing in Him and asked for his greatest need, that he could have his sight restored.  If you are like me, I have always considered that this question didn’t need to be asked.  Surely Jesus knew the man was blind and that he needed to see?  Yet, how many times in life do we look at people and think we know exactly what their problem is and we know exactly how to fix it?  Instead maybe it would be better to consider if that is the greatest problem they are facing and ask “What can I do for you?”

Today I want to encourage you to let the evidence of God’s love on the inside of you show up in reaching out to those beyond you.  Make a plan to get involved with people that come into your life that may be hurting and needing God’s love.  However, don’t assume you know what their need is, ask the deeper question.  You may be surprised to find out that what they really need you could not see on the surface.  Don’t give others what you think they need, ask them the question you don’t know.  Yes, this takes a little more effort than just giving them a few dollars to get them through the day, but in the long run, you will draw out the true need and let God’s love take over instead. 

Today’s scripture reading: 1 John 3:10 – 17