July 23, 2018 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

The Best Word Ever for Love

Without Love, Part #3

I have a sign on my property that says, “I may not be perfect but my dog loves me.” Everyone should be loved without fear. Two behavioral traits stops us from loving others: one, sin can work in our lives to make our love become non-effective; sin has a power over how much we love—it stops love from even beginning, and two, a person who loves only when things benefit them personally is unchristian and promotes the destruction of others.

There is something we can do to produce more love. The word “No” is the best word ever to produce more love in your life. “No” produces humility, sharing, strength, and caring. I consider “No” to be the best character building word in the English language.

If Eve would have only said “No” to Satan, herself, and Adam, we would be in a much better place today. I am glad Jesus said “No” to Satan when he was being tempted in the wilderness when He was fasting for those 40 days. He said “No” to Satan, to himself and now says “No” for me when I am tempted to reject, hold back or be selective in my love toward others.

However, there are times Jesus did say “No” to others for their benefit so they would choose a better path—a life-changing choice—a display of faith. Mark 7:24-30, Jesus said “No” to a Greek/Syrophenician woman who wanted her daughter to be healed. If Jesus had not said “No” then the woman would not have made a declaration of faith and generated a response from Jesus in order for her daughter to receive healing.

I had a female student in one of my Christian Worldview classes at the university that made this statement, “My husband will never tell me no!” Students in the class were taken back by her statement. This young woman was so selfish and insecure that she made it a point to always get her way—what she wanted and when she wanted it.

I could continue with stories and statements where “No” saved people from injury, humiliation, and a life of emotional pain. We must learn to swim against the tide in our culture that says we have a right to do anything and society or present norms cannot tell us “No”. We must tell ourselves and others “No” whenever what we want or desire is contrary to God’s will and plan for our lives. As for me and my house, “No” will be the word we use when loving others and seeking God’s love in our lives.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

This e-mail, including attachments, may include confidential and/or proprietary information, and may be used only by the person or entity to which it is addressed. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient or his or her authorized agent, the reader is hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this e-mail is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and delete this e-mail immediately.