My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (John 15:12, NIV)
Are you a visual learner? I know I am. It is one thing to hear (or read) a golf lesson, but it is usually much more helpful to see it demonstrated. Nonetheless, I am going to offer one.
I am going to step out on a limb and bet that you need to open up your stance. Yes, I am talking to you! You are aimed way right (at least you right-handed players).
You probably doubt me since I don’t know you and have never seen you swing a golf club; however, I have received and given many lessons and have never been told or advised another to close their stance.
If seeing is believing for you, then let me show you. Next time you are at the range, pick out a target with a 7-iron and set up to hit the shot. Now, take another club and put it along your toes. Wait, you are not finished. Get another club and place it perfectly parallel to the other one where the ball is. Step back and see where the second one is aimed.
How far right of your target is it? Be honest!
You needed a visual example to believe me, didn’t you? Just like we often need this in golf, God knew man needed a visual demonstration of him to know his way.
That is one of the primary reasons he sent his son to earth as a man. Jesus came to illustrate and demonstrate what God is like. As perfectly as his words were spoken through prophets and written in the Scripture, his children’s aim was still way off without the visual example.
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known” (John 1:17-18).
Humans tend to make things religious. We like to have a list of dos and don’ts with boxes to check. Just as the nation of Israel displayed throughout the Old Testament and was on display by the Pharisees in the New Testament, religion in the name of God is often not of God because it lacks his character.
The church is not immune; this tendency is rampant in Christianity. When we take our eyes off the person of Jesus, we very quickly cease to imitate the example he gave us of what heaven on earth looks like.
In many ways, we have stopped pursuing his kingdom as he emphasized and have settled for a religious system in his name. Evidence of following him is spiritual fruit produced in us and through us. We will start to show signs of his character. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Jesus was confident that his demonstration and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit would be sufficient for us to live out our faith. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
Prayer: Father, thank you for sending your son as a man so we can confidently know your way.