Life in 6 Words: G.O.S.P.E.L. God. Our. Sins. Paying. Everyone.
Sins – cannot be removed by good deeds
1 John 3:4 “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.”
No one wants to be compared to a Pharisee. These individuals cared more about keeping up appearances (the letter of the law) than loving people. Jesus challenged not what the Pharisees were doing, but the condition of their hearts.
Living for Christ isn’t just a matter of trying not to sin or sinning less. It’s loving people! For followers of Christ – this is not an option. We simply cannot ignore the most important commandments, not suggestions, Jesus gave are “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22: 37-39)
This mean that we need to genuinely care about the condition of someone’s heart. It’s wonderful to invite someone to Bible study and be happy when they show up. But do you care how their week went or how stressed they are over family pressures? Ever have someone standing in front of you and all you can think about is what they did to you rather than what they may be going through?
When we are not living in love, we are disconnected from God for His Nature is Love. It’s simple: Love God – Love People.
Kelly McGaha