Increasingly, I hear people of all ages state that while they believe in God, they don't believe in His character as loving Father. And, to be fair, if I'm looking at circumstances, favorable outcomes, and relationships on this planet to define God's character, there appears to be more evidence against a loving God than for Him.
I believe that Satan is doing all he can to dim humanity's view of heaven. He is doing a pretty good job!
I am solid in my belief of God as provider, protector, comforter, friend. But shouldn't that impact my life in such a way that those who encounter me have a reason to believe in a loving God - because they experience His character through me? Ouch. Painful truth!
Time and again in scripture, we glimpse a picture of the restorative, transforming nature of God's love. Every time a person encountered Jesus they walked away changed, encouraged, hope rekindled.
The question I ask myself. The question I hope you will ponder is this...
Can the people in my sphere of influence experience proof that God lives. God sees. God cares? Not by my words, but simply by what I do, how I choose to live with and respond to others. How I love? Do my actions reveal a relationship with my Creator, Savior, Father?
Scripture is clear: we are instructed to love others, and love God. Not as a legalistic action, but rather a pouring out of what we have abundantly received!
Listen to this great rephrasing of I Cor. 13:1-7 (msg)
"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.
If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere.
So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love."
God doesn't want our legalistic obedience! He wants an authentic relationship with His children!
Then, as we fall in love with Him we become changed. (2 Cor. 3:18)
Who do you know that is desperately looking for proof that God cares?
How can you reach out and be the hands and feet of God in showing that love?