Planting Seeds for the Stranger Day 3: Love and Success

Reinforce godliness with brotherly affection, then increase brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1: 5 – 8

In church in Tribuswinkel, Austria, this Sunday, the pastor spoke about Christian success. He said that today, you can see the results of this success on social media. But in Peter’s second letter, we see the progression God asks of us, from faith to love as our success. I am not saying that God doesn’t use social media or that anyone who posts about what God is doing is wrong. Not at all! But that at the very end of God’s holy progression of faith we must see change in our character. The pastor said, “God is more interested in changing you than using you!”

The last two parts of the progression are phileo (brotherly love) and agape (godly love). These two types of love cover everything. And it is from these that true Christian success, productiveness and usefulness come. So the only way to really evaluate your success as a Christian is to evaluate the depth and power of your love for others. This is the high standard God desires us to meet. Being used by Him is a privilege that comes only from a deep well of love.

In my time in Austria I want to see God work through me to change the lives of the refugees I meet every day. It is not a bad thing to want. But if I try to manipulate or force or give things in order to get their attention, I will not be showing them the character of the very God I so want them to know and love, like I do. As God plants His seeds of love in them, His truth will find an open heart.

Let’s commit to be His love, above everything else!

Who in your life needs an extra portion of love?

How might you express God’s love in their life?

Pray about it and then do it!

All-loving Father, continue to change me from the inside out. I rely on the power of Holy Spirit to prompt me, to support me and to be there in the follow-through with people You put in my path. You are Love and I need You, Amen.