Loving Like Jesus: An Intentional Choice

Loving Like Jesus: An Intentional Choice 

The hum of daily life can be deceptively soothing. Wake up, work, eat, unwind, sleep, repeat. It's a rhythm many of us fall into, a current that carries us along without much conscious thought. We let the world pass us by, our lives a series of autopilot actions. Intentionality? A rare commodity. But is this truly living? Or are we simply existing?

For those of us who follow Christ, this question cuts even deeper. We are called to something far greater than a mundane existence. We are called to reflect the very image of God, to bring Him glory through His Son, Jesus. But this calling won't manifest through passive acceptance. It demands intentionality.

Imagine approaching each day with the deliberate purpose of reflecting Jesus. What would that look like? How would it change your interactions, your decisions, your very outlook? When we consciously choose to live as ambassadors of Christ, something remarkable happens. People notice. They see a light shining, a difference that sparks curiosity. Opportunities to share the Gospel open up, not through forced evangelism, but through the natural overflow of a life transformed.

This stands in stark contrast to the secular world's perspective. They don't need to strive to reflect anything; the fallen nature of humanity naturally gravitates away from God. This isn't about devil worship or blatant evil, though those exist. It's about the default state of being when we are not connected to Christ.

The Bible presents a clear dichotomy: those in a relationship with God and those who are not. If we are not actively in a relationship with God, we are, by default, separated from Him. This separation explains the prevalence of evil in the world. It doesn't require malicious intent, simply a lack of intentional alignment with God's will.

For Christians, living in accordance with Christ's commands is a radical, intentional choice. It's a daily battle against our natural inclinations. We choose to repent, to turn away from our own desires and embrace God's path. We choose to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves.

This love isn't just a feeling; it's an action. It's choosing to serve, to forgive, to extend grace, even when it's difficult. It's moving beyond mere religious rituals and embracing the heart of Christ's message.

The Church needs a paradigm shift. We must move away from imposing religious burdens and instead focus on cultivating a culture of genuine love. When we intentionally love people, we demonstrate the power of Jesus in a way that resonates deeply.

If we desire to see the Church flourish and the name of Jesus spread throughout the world, intentionality is the key. It's not about grand gestures or elaborate programs. It's about the consistent, daily choice to reflect Christ in every aspect of our lives.

Let's stop drifting and start living with purpose. Let's embrace the call to intentionality and allow God to work through us to transform the world.

Learn more at www.theexchangemin.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Grammys, Community, and the Church: A Reflection on Family

The Grammys, Community, and the Church:  A Reflection on Family My wife and I found ourselves watching the Grammy Awards red carpet arrivals tonight. It's not usually my cup of tea, but there it was, playing in the background. As I half-watched, half-listened, something struck me. The language being used by the artists, nominees, and winners was overwhelmingly communal. There was a real sense of shared passion and understanding that music is more than just an industry; it's a community. The emphasis on the MusicCares Fire Relief, supporting Los Angeles communities affected by the fires, further reinforced this. One interviewer even called the event a "family reunion," a time for the music community to come together, encourage each other, and celebrate their shared love of music. It was, in a way, a beautiful thing to witness. And it got me thinking. Why don't we see this same level of unity and community within the church? Of all groups, the church should ...
Read more

The Sleeping Giant: Is It Time to Wake Up?

  The Sleeping Giant: Is It Time to Wake Up? The Sleeping Giant is more than just a catchy phrase; it's a powerful idea, and it's about  you .  It's about the potential within each of us, and within the Church as a whole, to rise up from a state of apathy and embrace a life of purpose and power. The Sleeping Giant is... the Church! But not in the way you might be thinking. It's not about buildings or rituals. Those things can actually contribute to the "sleep." When we talk about the Church, we're talking about Ecclēsia – the people called out from the world and to God. It's the community of believers, the body of Christ. And right now, too much of that body is slumbering. The truth is, many Christians agree that the Church needs to wake up, but they're unsure of how, or worse, unwilling to do what it takes. I've seen two major roadblocks hindering this awakening: religion and cost. Religion: We've inherited a certain idea of what ...
Read more

Is Inviting People to Church Really Biblical?

Image
 Is Inviting People to Church Really Biblical? We've all been there. The flutter of excitement when an invitation arrives, the subtle sting of exclusion when it doesn't. From childhood birthday parties to adult gatherings, the desire for inclusion runs deep. We're taught that inviting others is a good thing, a way to build community and share experiences. But is this always true, especially within the context of the church? Today, I want to gently challenge the conventional wisdom of "invite everyone to church." It's a practice so ingrained that we rarely stop to question its effectiveness or its underlying motivations. Let's take a closer look at the different groups we typically extend these invitations to: Believers Not Part of a Church Body: Why aren't they involved in a church? Do we really know, or do we even care beyond the surface-level invitation? A casual "You should come to our church sometime!" often overlooks the complex and pers...
Read more