Tom Branch - Roads of Faith

In reading a sample chapter online to a book, I came to a part where the age old command to "love thy neighbor as theyself" ya know the common basic golden rule. SOme light was shining on the words as I saw a wee bit more into this command.

Thinking about items as lust, anger, frustration and the like is that how I want to be loved? Is this how I love others?

Seeing an attractive woman and lusting (or sexual attracted) wanting to look at her, is this the love I am sending out? Is this how I want to be loved?

Getting frustrated at work at a co-workers close mindedness and wanting to get short or change my voice tone, is this how I love? Is this how I want to be loved?

Driving down the road and someone driving too slow or wrecklessly without care and I shart cussing at them, is this how I love? Is this how I want to be loved?

Thinking of these three things right off bat I know that most are internal and no one but myself and God sees them. But the command to love others and the new greatest command:

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. (John 13:34-35 NLT)

How am I loving? I know especially as far as the lust factor goes when I am looking at the images or thinking the thoughts and letting the fantasies run wild through my mind.....is this how I want to be loved? Is this the love of Christ? Am I showing my love for one another so that others may see the love of Christ? Talk about such a simple and over heard phrase, a command, is one that is deeper than the words implicate. Very convicting.

Then there is the other aspect of my heart. Am I doing through Christ or am I doing for my own self worth? Am I trying to be the hero? Sometimes I honestly have no idea if I am doing becasue of me or if I am doing out of his will. Where my heart is often times is just kind of there. I am not sure where it is. I know where it is not often times. But sometimes not knowing am I doing whats in my heart for selfish or selfless reasons....it boggles me and frustrates me.

But today is my groups turn for hospitality. So my relax time is cut short. I have to run to the store and get little debbie snack cakes. Cheap and sugar filled yummies.

But loving one another as one loves himself...do I want to love others this way? Where is my heart?

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