Daily writing prompt

What is your favorite drink?

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People are made in God’s image . . . but. God’s image in people is faded, twisted, and distorted, but it’s not deleted. If you will diligently search for the slightest glimmer of God’s image in everyone you meet, you’ll discover an inspiring treasure inside of them. Like an archeologist’s ancient artifact deteriorated in the dust it will reveal glimpses of glory and beauty that have been left behind.

God’s image bearers are loved by Him. He wants you to love them too. (John 22:37-40)

Love isn’t the approval and applause of people’s actions and attractions. It’s compassionate concern and critical care for their wellbeing. (Philippians 2:3) When Jesus taught loving your enemies (Matthew 5:44) He wasn’t saying to blindly approve of their behaviors and beliefs. He was telling us to speak the truth (Ephesians 4:15) while patiently showing people tenderness, kindness, and forgiveness. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Christians are called and supernaturally empowered by God to be the world’s best lovers–to love one another and even our enemies. Yet for some reason, we’re not very good at it.

We Christians have so departed from Spirit-produced love (Galatians 5:22-23) that we have twisted the words “the church” into a meaningless misnomer. We have shattered the body of Christ into hundreds of thousands of independent churches and denominations world-wide, each one training people to pursue their own self-interests and beliefs, while ignoring Christ’s prayer that we all be one. (John 17:21)

The Bible plainly states that anything Christians do without love is worthless. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) It’s just empty noise like that made by a clanging cymbal–sound without substance. How can we move from self-focused divisiveness to Spirit-led community overflowing with love?

The first step is to focus on fixing ourselves before we focus on fixing other people. A country can’t be fixed-up to be great if its Christian citizens are a moral mess muddled in the middle of a mental health crisis.

True greatness begins with the wisdom of Solomon who speaking on God’s behalf said: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) True greatness begins with the deep repentance of Christians. (1 Peter 4:17)

It’s time for leaders in the body of Christ to get out of God’s way (1 Thessalonians 5:19) and prepare the way of the Lord. (Mark 1:2-3) Church leadership should be a group of equal overseers, (Acts 14:23) instead of a one-man pastor. (Ephesians 4:11-12) Christian leaders need to step aside from being controlling levers pulling rank in a religious hierarchy. Instead, they should guide from the side, not rule from a podium. They should effectively train, motivate, and release people to freely minister to one another as the Spirit prompts, not just lecture or manipulate a congregation.

Jesus called His disciples aside and told them: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)

If you are a Christian, you are clergy. All Christ-followers are priests. (Revelation 1:5-6) Humbly step into the role that God has called you to by passionately obeying and loving God and by radiating His love to all people everywhere you go as you speak the truth with compassion. That’s true greatness!

Read the Old Testament prophets. God in His love called them to expose sin and rebellion, but they weren’t professionals. Instead of cash or even appreciation, they were paid with persecution. “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to My people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1)