Love doesn’t mean you have to be a doormat, always turn the other cheek, or simply keep your mouth shut. In fact, most of the time, if you’re doing those things, you might not love your neighbor as yourself as much as you think you do.
Yeah, good news is you don’t have to keep your mouth shut.
Well, not all the time anyway. The main thing to focus on, when it comes to loving someone is how your words, deeds, and actions will affect them. And keep an eternal perspective. After all, which is more important to your life? 80 years of living here on earth…with all its chaos and confusion? Or an eternity of perfection with the one true, living, loving Creator of Heaven and life? (here’s a hint…go with the second choice)
I freely admitI admit, I didn’t always have an eternal perspective. Yeah, it’s easy to think you have plenty of time when you’re very young. But you don’t actually know that. You’re just young and way more stupid than you believe you are. And I’m talking to myself. Not just you. In fact, what I’m talking about today I need to hear probably way more than you do. Here’s the thing…
When you have an eternal perspective, you can understand how important it is to make sure your neighbor understands there IS a God, there IS a Heaven, and there IS a choice to be made here and now. By golly, if God wishes that “none should perish”, we should too. But to love your neighbor as yourself means you’re willing to share the whole Truth…not just the peace, love, joy, and forgiveness.
Uh oh. That’s where it gets a little bit shaky.
For example, forgiveness. If you just go around forgiving people who don’t even show remorse or ask for forgiveness, you ain’t helping nobody. You’re just going for the feel good. And it ain’t biblical. I’m not wrong about that.
And it’s not loving your neighbor to watch him drink himself to death? It’s much more loving to say something about Jesus to him (or her).
If you truly want to do what God asks you to do, you have to truly love your neighbor as yourself. You wouldn’t want your self to go to hell. That would be like walking into a burning building. You’d want someone to warn you. Wouldn’t you? Same thing about your neighbor and his path to hell. I know that’s not easy stuff. And I know most people will hate you for even bringing up the name, Jesus. For crying out loud, He said that would happen. And I know for a fact He was right. He always is.
So, there are plenty of times when it’s wise to keep your mouth shut. But there are also plenty of times when it’s wise to open it and speak the truth into someone’s life. Because you might help them know the one who can extend their life forever. And that’s what motivates me to show up here at tonyfunderburk.com year after year.
Well the power of the Word takes an ordinary bird
And it gives him songs to sing and wings to soar.
With the power of the Word even when your vision’s blurred
All your dreams will be fulfilled forevermore. © TF
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I share it with believers who want to focus on the power of God’s love and rightly divide the word of truth. Spend your time reading, listening, and watching good stuff based on the power of God’s love instead of looking for it. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.
