See faith in love
Some people think that once you’ve converted you have arrived and that you can put up your feet and relax. But that’s not true. On the contrary. That is the time you have to equip yourself for your new life, because you see, there are many dangers.
You won’t believe how your faith will be tested. People will want to tell you how one should believe and that you’re actually going the wrong way. They think they know the truth and when you grow up one day you will see it too. Watch out, Paul warns: 13Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute …
Be alert, don’t snooze, don’t fall asleep. Don’t think there is no danger. Without you even realising it some will try and tempt you away from the truth. Watch out. Stand up for what you believe in and don’t be afraid to show others that you’ve met the only Truth. Sometimes we as Christians can be too shy to stand up for what we believe in.
No, we must go into the world with a clear understanding of what we believe in. We must stand up for what is right and point out what is wrong. People should experience our faith at grassroots level. Therefore, we are instructed to: 14 … love without stopping.
And suddenly the words of 1 Corinthians 13 light up. Just like people try to mislead us about our faith, people can negatively impact on our sense of love. Suddenly there is no love visible in our actions and our faith becomes even less visible.
The “wake up and smell the roses” sign appears right in front of us. Stop and look at your actions, especially towards your loved ones (yes, loved ones!). Do they experience your faith through the love that you show?
This is Mr L’s story:
My wife and I have no training, but we are wonderfully led by the Holy Spirit. Our ministry is small, but we are involved in the service of our heavenly Father. I manage a soup kitchen to feed underprivileged children. My wife teaches the Gospel to the children by means of puppet shows. We experience the fruits of ministry.
Two Sundays a month we serve together at Goedemoed Prison. All honour to our God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
They understand faith and love in abundance. People are changed, because two ordinary people understand what Paul means. They understand that Jesus’ love must be passed on to those who need it.
Reflection
Do you stand firmly for what you believe?
Do others feel what you believe?
Where do you have to give more love?
Prayer
Lord, I want to call out that I believe in you and that I believe that Jesus died for my sins on the cross. Sometimes I struggle to live out my faith, especially when I have to sow love. I confess this and ask that You will help me through your Spirit so that my love can take root in others. Amen
