Embracing Christ Completely

I love how God says things to us in different ways through different mediums. This past Sunday Dave was referring at one point to the love that God had for us and how Christmas is a great time to give that love to others. We were encouraged to give of ourselves this Christmas season. In the messages of Zechariah 8 God is teaching them ways to live so that the kingdom of God could be lived out in their midst. In verses 16-17 he spells out specific ways to make it a safe and loving community that seeks to do the will of God.

'These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates. Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another and do not love perjury; for all these are what I hate', declares the LORD." NASB

Elizabeth Achtemeier expounds on these verses from Zech. 8 beautifully;

The love with which Israel is asked to respond to the unmerited love of God is to be acted out in the love of neighbor. This God, it seems, is always giving away that which belongs to him. "If you want to love me," he says, "then love your neighbor in my place." "...as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me: (Matt. 25:40)
...God's love requires the response of love for neighbor because God's final purpose for his world is to make a new community. This was his purpose in Israel, as it is also his purpose in the church.

What a powerful challenge. God's lavish love is given to us to give away to others so that they too can experience God in their lives.

I pray that as Christmas is fast approaching and family and friend gatherings are upon us that we will know how God wants to share his love through us. That when we are in the midst of being together and it feels like too much together that we will respond with God's mercy and not in selfishness. Rely on God to lead your reactions and to give you your value. Laugh lots. See the good side in things.