What are you willing to do for Christ?

What are you willing to do for Christ? What are you willing to go without for Christ?

We know the scandalous things we’re willing to do for the the love of money: lie, steal, cheat, even kill. On the other hand:

What are we willing to do for the love of Christ?

I’m realizing that there are some things that we just cannot do without a sincere, devoted love for Christ. I believe that one of the reasons Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love Him and love others, is because if we love Him more than anything then our love for Him will keep us obeying Him and following Him- even when it gets hard.

“Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

– Matthew 22:36-39

There are some things that Christ requires of us that we will be unable to do if we don’t love Him. Actually, many things we will be completely uninterested in doing if we don’t love Him.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

– John 14:23

The blessing is that our love can grow. For instance, right now we may love Him enough to do this but our love might be too immature to do that. However, as we keep following Him and growing in Him, we will be able to see how our love and willingness matures.

What is it that you are unwilling to do? Forgive? Extend grace? Love unconditionally?

No doubt these are not easy tasks, and I may add literally impossible on our own, but Christ. When I’m struggling, I stop and think of Him (hence the Sharpie cross on my arm). Just thinking about His love for me, His sacrifice, His life, His example, His love… It moves me. Changes me.

His love.

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

– Isaiah 53:5

When I think about His love it moves me to love Him, love others, and do what He’s called me to do.