God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:16-18)
World news headlines this week have continued to push the envelope in terms of the dramatic:- Espionage!
- Espionage against our own citizens!
- Riots in Turkey!
- War and revolution!
- Storms bringing floods and tornadoes!
- Iconic world leaders at death’s door (Mandela)!
- Wildfires!
- Kidnappings!
- Murder!
- More, much more!!
Meanwhile, commentators like me doggedly advocate for positive change via the invitation to becomeFollowers of The Living Way of Jesus.
SO WHAT? Nice. Bravo. “Preach it!” Whoop-de-do. However, having made such a profound statement of applied faith, what does that look like? And how “in the world” can being a disciple of Jesus actually make any difference?
Good question. So today, in one more of those handy “Top-10″ lists, I have included the following, “10 Ways You Can Change the World for Good.”
- Believe, with a passion, from the moment your eyes open and your feet hit the floor on your side of the bed…
- Live as if what you say you believe is actually true (live faith out loud)…
- Harness the power of prayer as a constant open line of communication…
- Let love be your guide (see 1 John 4)…
- Live with an “attitude of gratitude,” front and center…
- “Don’t be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourself” (Philippians 2:3)…
- Never begin a conversation without first placing Jesus, visually, in the room with you…
- Use your gifts as resources placed, by God, in trust with you…
- Become a committed, active member of a faith community…
- Tell the truth about the Gospel of Love, simply by being….
STARTING PLACE: This list is neither definitive nor all-encompassing. However, if everyone in the USA who is even vaguely interested in faith were to follow these ten principles, then the consequence would be to effectively change individuals, families, churches, communities, and – eventually – nations.
Listen closely. I’m not suggesting conversion to a religion. Instead, I’m simply recommending a conscious decision to follow Jesus. If you do, if you dare to live this challenge, then I can promise you nothing less than a transformed life… in a transformed world.
So, are you in? - DEREK
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