In my marriage, I often want to be right. But in 1st John he talks about DOING what is right.
It is interesting how concerned I can be about being right, when God has not called me to be right, but instead to righteousness. Often, the very circumstances that are challenging me to stand up for what is right are being used to sanctify me and make me righteous. John’s use of action words strike me. Instead of being right, I need to DO what is right. Instead of simply basking in the light, I must WALK in the light.
1 John 2:29 says, “If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.” (1 John 2:29) Don’t just say the right thing, but do the right thing.
John talks about doing what is right and walking in the light. So, the next time you desire to correct, or tell others the right answer, let them first see the way you act in love, not just the words you say.
“Let us love with not words or speech but action.” 1 John 3:18
![I have seen post after post about Christians speaking in love. But, what about Christian’s listening?
[share and save to encourage others]
I still remember my counselor asking me if I listen just to listen or if I listen with a preconceived idea of the right answer?
To be completely honest, I have found myself to do the latter. Before she said that, I rarely listened with a blank mind and heart. Instead, I listened and interjected to lead someone to a conclusion. (Yikes! I hope it’s not just me that has done this)
So, let’s start by doing what this passage instructs us to do and let’s listen to the Word of God with a soft heart and an open mind. Are you seeing the text plainly?
“18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen.” (Luke 8:18)
This phrase jumped out at me. Consider how you listen. We have just been told the parable of the Sower where we hear how the Word of God (the seed) lands on 4 different types of soil.
For a moment, I want you to imagine yourself as each of the types of soil.
The Word is first snatched up by the devil (maybe this is distraction, time-management, or anything else that steals your time away from spending time in Gods presence)
Secondly, you receive the Word with joy but times of testing come and you no-longer ascribe to it.
Thirdly, life gets in the way-business pursuits, lifestyle, money, or pleasures take the place of time spent in his Word.
Lastly, you receive the Word of God-and you hear and understand. One translation says, “15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” HEAR the Word.
You produce a crop because you retain the information.
The hearing of the Word of God is so important. Are you going to the Word to HEAR what God has to say or are you studying it to back-up what you want to say? Let us learn in 2021 to be believers that speak truth in love, but also LISTEN to hear! #chasingsacred](https://www.chasingsacred.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)