1 John 4:16b-18 click here for the reading
Discipleship is a church word that describes people who follow Jesus. To be a disciple is to live the faith. It is a matter of practice. (Lawyers practice law, doctors practice medicine, disciples practice following Jesus).
To be a disciple then, is to live like Jesus lived, and love like Jesus loved. To be honest, that reads well (bumper sticker here we come "live like Jesus lived, love liked Jesus loved"). the problem is this is the hardest thing in the world to do. Jesus was compassionate when no one else was, Jesus was patient when no one else was, Jesus loved people who were hard to love and people who the world didn't love.
And that is the thing about discipleship and practicing this life and love that Jesus exhibits, we are called to be Christ's ambassadors, Christ's representatives. Martin Luther called this aspect of our faith "being little Christ's to one another."
Given the context of polarization, divisiveness, brokenness, and division in our society, loving like Jesus loved makes it difficult but maybe even more necessary. Who are you finding it difficult to love recently? How might trusting God's love made known through Jesus help you love that person or group?
Jesus, come into our hearts and take over, so that
Discipleship is a church word that describes people who follow Jesus. To be a disciple is to live the faith. It is a matter of practice. (Lawyers practice law, doctors practice medicine, disciples practice following Jesus).
To be a disciple then, is to live like Jesus lived, and love like Jesus loved. To be honest, that reads well (bumper sticker here we come "live like Jesus lived, love liked Jesus loved"). the problem is this is the hardest thing in the world to do. Jesus was compassionate when no one else was, Jesus was patient when no one else was, Jesus loved people who were hard to love and people who the world didn't love.
And that is the thing about discipleship and practicing this life and love that Jesus exhibits, we are called to be Christ's ambassadors, Christ's representatives. Martin Luther called this aspect of our faith "being little Christ's to one another."
Given the context of polarization, divisiveness, brokenness, and division in our society, loving like Jesus loved makes it difficult but maybe even more necessary. Who are you finding it difficult to love recently? How might trusting God's love made known through Jesus help you love that person or group?
Jesus, come into our hearts and take over, so that
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