Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hears at rest in his presence…
When I was a kid we always vacationed in the mountains of Tennessee. Even in my earliest years before I could read, I could always tell when we were close because of the landmarks along the way. I knew when I saw the giant Big Boy statue that it wasn’t much further. And when I saw the red barn with the roof that said “See Rock City”, we were just around the corner from the foothills. I knew all the landmarks by heart.
There are landmarks in our Christian life that show us that we are making progress in our walks with God. It may not be as obvious as the giant Big Boy, but the scriptures say that there are signs that we can look for in our lives that indicate that we are making progress in our spiritual maturity. One of those indicators is the progression from loving with our words only, to actions that minister to the body of Christ.
1 John 3:16-17 says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” It is clear that Jesus has set the bar at the highest mark—he laid down his life for us. As Christians in today’s world, we are not often called to lay our lives down for our brothers. But the second part of those verses hit much closer to home. We regularly come in contact with people in need. And even though we might not feel like we have a lot of material possessions, we all have something that we could give. It is when we feel the Holy Spirit prompt us to give our time or possessions to someone, and then we respond in obedience that we know that we are moving forward in our growth. Sometimes that is an obvious choice and decision. Other times it happens more subtly, and suddenly we find ourselves regularly involved in actions that were not our own idea! Either way, the giving of ourselves in obedience to his call to help our brothers and sisters in Christ is evidence of spiritual growth in our lives.
So, how does this all begin to happen in your life? Do you just go out looking for poor people to give to, and that will make you grow as a Christian? Do you seek someone to help with your time and actions, and expect some sort of blessing in return? No, the answer is not in seeking to accomplish these acts, but in seeking to obey Christ in your day to day life, and as you obey he will give you opportunities to serve. And through that obedience and service, you will experience spiritual maturity. It is in walking by the power of the Holy Spirit that it all comes about. God’s Spirit is the only source by which we can live a pleasing life and one that gives itself away. He not only moves us to action, but he is the source of our strength to accomplish what he calls us to do. Our strength will fall short and our motives will disappoint. Only by being directed and empowered by his spirit will we see the changes that we all desire in our lives.
Points to Ponder
- Am I sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in showing me the needs of others?
- Am I willing to obey when he shows me a place of service or giving?
- Can I see evidence in my life of progress in my spiritual walk with Christ?
Prayer
Dear Father, how I desire to be obedient to you in every way. I want to be willing to give my time, my actions, and my money to those you place in my life. Help me to learn to depend on your spirit in my life to direct my path. Help me to listen closely to your voice. Help me to quickly move to action when you show me a need. Let me see the changes that you work in my life. Let me mark my progress along the way. And may you alone receive the glory and honor for all that happens in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.