You are the light of the world. … let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
Moses was the light of his generation. After forty days alone with God, Moses came down from Mount Sinai a changed man. His face shone.
The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light ... Matthew 6:22 (ESV)
When a woman is in love, her eyes shine. Her whole face lights up. If we love Jesus, and we are living in His presence, we are like young people in love and the world can see it.
This love is not based on achievement or good work. It is comes from the revelation that God loves you with all His heart.
We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (ESV)
CHILDLIKE TRUST
How does a child grow up? By experiencing his parents´ love and trusting in their guidance.
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. Mark 10:15
In a healthy family, the parents exercise sacrificial love and the children enjoy that love. It is in enjoying the love of God, that we shine like lights in a dark world.
Nothing makes a person’s face like up like the enjoyment of loving because you know you are loved. God IS Love.
If we focus on our own striving to keep God’s commandments, we lose the childlike enjoyment of God, which is our source of love, joy and power.
But isn’t obedience also important?
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10 (NKJV)
Disobedience is not childlike trust in a good Father. Jesus spoke about good works that draw unbelievers to His light.
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? Matthew 25:37 (ESV)
And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40 (ESV)
When we heal the sick or buy food for a homeless person, kindness motivated by the love of Jesus shows the goodness of God to the world.
The obedience that Jesus loves is not based on an obligation to a ministry. Jesus is not impressed when we strive to win approval, escape criticism or please leaders.
And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Luke 22:25
But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Matthew 23:8-9
Preachers who intimidate and control are trying to make people good, but they destroy the childlike love, joy and faith which is the real source of Christian goodness.
Fear is the opposite of faith. The fear of man (including church leaders) actually undermines trust in God.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 (ESV)
Should preachers always be soft and comforting? Jesus was not. Godly ministers lead, teach and challenge, but they do not control people with guilt, duty and intimidation.
Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
I pray you will find the right Christian friends and mentors. They will see you as Jesus sees you, a unique son or daughter of God.
Moses was the light of his generation. After forty days alone with God, Moses came down from Mount Sinai a changed man. His face shone.
The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light ... Matthew 6:22 (ESV)
When a woman is in love, her eyes shine. Her whole face lights up. If we love Jesus, and we are living in His presence, we are like young people in love and the world can see it.
This love is not based on achievement or good work. It is comes from the revelation that God loves you with all His heart.
We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (ESV)
CHILDLIKE TRUST
How does a child grow up? By experiencing his parents´ love and trusting in their guidance.
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. Mark 10:15
In a healthy family, the parents exercise sacrificial love and the children enjoy that love. It is in enjoying the love of God, that we shine like lights in a dark world.
Nothing makes a person’s face like up like the enjoyment of loving because you know you are loved. God IS Love.
If we focus on our own striving to keep God’s commandments, we lose the childlike enjoyment of God, which is our source of love, joy and power.
But isn’t obedience also important?
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10 (NKJV)
Disobedience is not childlike trust in a good Father. Jesus spoke about good works that draw unbelievers to His light.
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? Matthew 25:37 (ESV)
And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40 (ESV)
When we heal the sick or buy food for a homeless person, kindness motivated by the love of Jesus shows the goodness of God to the world.
The obedience that Jesus loves is not based on an obligation to a ministry. Jesus is not impressed when we strive to win approval, escape criticism or please leaders.
And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Luke 22:25
But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Matthew 23:8-9
Preachers who intimidate and control are trying to make people good, but they destroy the childlike love, joy and faith which is the real source of Christian goodness.
Fear is the opposite of faith. The fear of man (including church leaders) actually undermines trust in God.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 (ESV)
Should preachers always be soft and comforting? Jesus was not. Godly ministers lead, teach and challenge, but they do not control people with guilt, duty and intimidation.
Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
I pray you will find the right Christian friends and mentors. They will see you as Jesus sees you, a unique son or daughter of God.
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