Love Is An Action Not An Attitude

"For I [Paul] do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. As it is written, He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack." - 2 Corinthains 8:13-15

I recently heard a pastor say "You cannot love without giving but you can give without loving." 

"I [Paul] speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."- 2 Corinthians 8:8-9

We are able to be Christians because of the love of God the Father (John 3:16) and the love of the Son. And, because of that love, we are compelled to love others in the same way. (Greatest Commandment - Matthew 22:37-39)

"If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" - 1 John 4:20

Hate meaning you have no compassion for people in need - whatever that need might be and you have the capacity to help. What does that look like? Like crossing the road when it is not convenient. (The Good Samaritan - Luke 10:25-37) 

So many Christians have a person, internal, self-focused and self-gratifying faith - meaning they spend their blessings on themselves. Not understanding that we are called to have an external faith - manifested in how we live and love others. Thier external "faith meter" is resting on Zero. 

"Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2

Watching our great granddaughter Vera crawl and waddle around our house, I am reminded that we must crawl before we can walk and walk before we run. If people never crawl there may be negative consequences.

It seems that crawling boosts gross and fine motor skills (large and refined movements), balance, hand-eye-coordination and overall strength are just a few. The development and refinement of these skills will assist your child later in life with activities such as running, jumping, writing, fastening clothes, and throwing balls. The strength they build also boosts their posture and prepares them for walking. Crawling helps improve a child’s problem-solving skills and abilities like catching, driving, or copying words off a board.

Spiritually speaking, we must not just lay in our crib and wait to be fed and changed. If you have not yet begun to crawl in expressing your faith toward others, don't try to make up for lost time by running. Trust God and "crawl" into the next opportunity to love someone. to be Jesus to someone. Just step into the water and wade out to your ankles. You will be swimming in the deep end before you know it.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone