If…

"If anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him; and we will come to him and make our home with him." - John 14:23

The thing about being a follower of Christ is that it becomes very obvious when someone starts to live as a believer. Jesus wasn't lying or exaggerating when He said that He and God the Father make their home within the person. In myself I've noticed a completely new way of seeing myself and others. It is as if I have put on the mind of Christ and I don't think for myself anymore, but just about every decision I make centers around what God would want. And it's nothing that I do out of my own power, but the Spirit acting in me because my heart has become His heart.

But Jesus starts this sentence with an "if," meaning that in a way we can use this verse to examine within ourselves if we really love Jesus, if we are His followers. It's a great way to examine ourselves because God cannot deny Himself… where He exists must be no intentional evil. Where God exists, there must be no jealousy, no envy, no unforgiveness, no hate, no disloyalty, no need for revenge… it is simply NOT compatible with who God is. So look at yourself, what are the feelings that reside in your heart? We have to be clear that we will never be without sin, but what is your reaction when you see others happy when you feel you deserve better? How do you choose to act when someone does you wrong? It's one thing to at first feel anger and want revenge, but quite another to let those feelings fester and build until you're unhappy because others are happy. God does not live in those feelings and neither will He live in you unless you ask Him to change you.

Today's Prayer:
Father, all of my feelings, good and bad, I give to You today. You know my heart and what angers me and what saddens me. I ask You to reside in me so that Your Spirit may overcome and subside all sin and negativity so that Your peace is transmitted through me. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.