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Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Live Sincerely



"The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24, NIV).


God calls each one of us to live a faithful life that shares His love. So many times we feel that there is something that we personally must do to change someone's heart. That is not our place. He has called us to share His love and to live our faith honestly and sincerely (2 Corinthians 2:17). We are to leave God's work in the human heart completely in His hands.


People don't just need to hear about who Jesus Christ is. They need to see us living changed lives as a result of His love at work in our own hearts. They don't need to just hear about His forgiveness, but they need to continually receive ours. They don't just need to hear about His power, but they need to experience it through our lives. They don't just need to hear about His peace, but they need to see our calm reassuring faith in Him no matter what our circumstance. They don't just need to hear about His joy, but they need to see His joy spring up from depths of faith. They don't just need to hear of His love, but they need to feel His love that washes away sin, recognizes their need, and encourages their potential.


If we live completely surrendered to Him, people will see Him in us. They may accept or reject Him, but they will have experienced His love and witnessed His power. “Our lives,” Paul declares, “are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume” (2 Corinthians 2:15-16a, NIV).


Let’s make this personal. It is not just about how “we” live for Him. I am responsible for how I live my life. I can't live another Christian's faith or calling. When I live His calling, He does the work and brings all His power to draw each heart to Him. All I must do is be faithful to Jesus Christ and allow Him to continually change my own heart. I never have all the answers. He has the answers; I live His love. I am called to live my life for Him in sincerity and honesty. I pray to be a life-giving perfume, but it is not my place to save or change anyone else. It is my place to live the change He has wrought in my life, and leave the work of the Holy Spirit in each man's heart to the Savior who makes all the difference.

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