1 John 3:16-20 (Amplified Bible)
16) By this we come to know (progressively to recognize, to perceive, to understand) the [essential] love: that He laid down His [own] life for us; and we ought to lay [our] lives down for [those who are our] brothers [in Him].
17) But if anyone has this world's goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him?
18) Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity).
19) By this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we are of the Truth, and can reassure (quiet, conciliate, and pacify) our hearts in His presence,
20) Whenever our hearts in [tormenting] self-accusation make us feel guilty and condemn us. [For we are in God's hands.] For He is above and greater than our consciences (our hearts), and He knows (perceives and understands) everything [nothing is hidden from Him].
In tough times in my life I often revisit those who I foresaw or see as heroes. People who are over comers, pacesetters, examples, givers, ones that I have watched God use to bless and encourage others with their lives. They have thought nothings of what it would mean to do without for the benefit of others, for it is all apart of their DNA, it is apart of their natural and spiritual make up. These individuals whether alive today or not physically among us, are still alive in my life. For they are living examples of how the world should be and how God intended us to live our lives in service one to another. We should feel blessed and highly favored as a result of our service, sowing, and interaction one towards another.
How often do you put someone else before ourselves? How often do we consider the needs of another before we consider our own? Or even how do our actions affect or make others feel? If all of us are honest we probably do not think about others as often as we claim to or as much as we like to think we do. We often like to say we give of ourselves until it hurts or we have sacrificed for so long, and we are so tired, but what have we really done, changed or given up? If we are truly living a life that we want to see manifested in the world than we have to find an example, a hero, one that sets a standard before us that we can follow. One that has given us foot prints to tread in and a path to follow. Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry, gave water to those who were thirsty, restored those who needed restoration and forgave those who need forgiveness, but most of all He gave His life for all of us who could not give our own.
Think about how much better this world would be "If" we would just step into some of the venues Jesus did. If we just gave one encouraging word, If we just gave one person forgiveness that really needed to hear that they were forgiven instead of judged. If we took the time to place someone above ourselves. If we clothed someone, or fed someone, how much better this world would be. If you do not see the world as you would like it, do not blame anyone but you. You can begin to change it one act of Godliness and kindness. Pay what Gos has blessed you with forward, I mean God is just asking you to submit yourself as a vessel for His use, not die on a cross, for the sins of the world....Think about it!
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