Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
3 John 11 (CSB)
Just as children learn to copy their parents’ behavior (both good and bad), we are the same with our Heavenly Father. When we have seen God and experienced His love and grace, we will start to look like Him, act like Him, love like Him, and welcome others as He did us. Earlier in the chapter, John commends Gaius, to whom this letter is written, that he has been walking in the truth and that it shows in the way he welcomed and treated fellow believers. In contrast, Diotrephes, refused to welcome them, going so far as to kick out from the church anyone who tried to do so.
John 13:35 says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Our lives will bear fruit depending on whom we follow. As those who proclaim Christ as Lord and Savior, may our love for one another invite others to know Him too.
Dear (in) courage,
I tried to find a more appropriate way to leave this message but I couldn’t find one. I wanted to say I love the new format! It’s much easier for navigating and leaving comments. It’s definitely a change for the better.
I like how much easier it is to find a little info about each author and I love how it saves my info for future comments! Well done!
Love to you all!
Your sister in Christ,
Irene B
Thank you for this beautiful reminder that we are called to love others. Everyday I read (in)courage to help me start my day with a dose of love and light that I try my best to pass on to others. During these divided times where the ugliest, loudest words and voices seem to dominate everyday conversations, it helps me to know there are wonderful women of courage speaking love. Thank you to all the writers for your words, your time, and sharing the hope of our Lord.
Amen, Maura and also amen to what Beth said. This was a great reminder and I immediately thought of the song We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord.
In Courage,
Two songs come to mind: “Pass it on” & “They know we are Christians”. Each song talks about God’s love & sharing it with others. I have been a glimpse of God’s love lately. My pastor & his wife traveled to WV to help her mom move down here last weekend. She has been busy working out all the details-insurance, etc. Knowing the hard work involved I made a chicken pot pie & some bread for their meal when they got home. Yesterday a friend from church & I stopped by to see another church family. The wife possibly has cancer & only 1 working kidney. We talked & ate with them for a while. It did the wife good to have company. Recently she was hospitalized & their only daughter just had a stroke. They needed some of God’s love. Today I’m making blueberry bread for an RN friend whose dad has cancer & not doing any treatments. He isn’t doing well at all. I’m working hard to spread some sunshine, God’s light & love into this sin darkened world. We could all use more of it.
Blessings 🙂
I hope you like this poem on the subject –
WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN? PART 3
(THE DISCIPLE)
It’s giving your heart to Jesus
Saying “I want to learn
What it is to be like You,
And follow Your way each turn.”
“You’ll be my perfect Father,
I’ll be Your little child.
Watching Your every gesture
Of patience, so humble and mild.”
“You’ll be my Holy Teacher,
I’ll be Your student true,
Learning each day to love more,
My selfish ways subdue.”
“Lead me by Your example,
Walk with me side by side,
Speak to my heart each moment,
I will listen as You guide.”
“Obedient to Your direction
As You to Your Father were,
May I always want to stay with You
And to Your teachings defer.”
“A relationship so personal
Nurturing, loving and caring,
That I won’t want to keep it a secret,
But be joyfully praising and sharing.”
9.4.2007 (from “Living & Learning” – Camilla Diann)
Inspired as a response to the concept of follower-disciple, being one who learns by watching and imitating as in a child/parent or student/teacher relationship – thought generously given by Jenny W.
See John 14-15 esp. 14:7-9; 10; 31; and 15:9,12
Thanks for sharing this beautiful poem, Camilla.