John 3:16 (NKJV)
16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NKJV)
13And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV)
17As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
I’ve listed a few verses on our relationship with God and how it affects our relationship with others. God’s love is the greatest love there is. My mother always said, “The only love greater than the love of a mother is God’s love.” God loves us so much He was willing to give His life for us. Maybe this is the first verse many memorize. We must remember God’s love is the greatest love and dwells in our life. We must allow His love to be seen in us by the way we treat others. We prove God’s love through our actions.
God did not just say He loved us; He proved His love towards us. He went to the cross and gave His life so we could have life and have it more abundantly. John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” When Jesus came into our lives we changed. No longer do we live in mediocrity. We live in the fulness of life that God has created for us.
How many do not find the fulness of Jesus? God gives us the answer in Jeremiah why so many do not find the fulness of God’s presence and love in their lives. God says we must seek Him with all our hearts. We must put the world behind us and Jesus in front. Our life is not Jesus plus something else. Our relationship with God is God, period! Do not allow anything or person to get in the way of finding God.
True followers of Christ help others not only to find Christ but to grow in Him. “As iron sharpens iron.” Christians help one another in their Christian growth. It is easy to stand back and criticize, talk about, and stop doing the work of God because we do not like what others are doing. That is not the Christian way. When Jesus ascended to Heaven He promised to send the helper, the paraclete, the Holy Spirit to come along side us. To work in the life of the believer. The Holy Spirit works in the life of all believers in Jesus Christ. As God’s Holy Spirit works in our lives, he directs us in following our purpose and goal in life. People are hurting, yes even in the church. Stephen Covey wrote in his book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” “Seek first to understand and then to be understood.” It is easy to criticize.
Instead of criticizing maybe it would be best to try understanding. It would be great if the people of God, the Church, would help others hone their lives not according to what we think they should be, but according to God’s purpose.