2 Corinthians 10:12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. (NLT)
One Sunday morning as I was getting ready for church and talking with the Lord, I said, “Lord, I’m no fashion plate. I just wear what I like.”
His response: “The thing about making yourself the standard is that it causes you to compare yourselves with others. I’m your standard and it’s not based on external appearance, but heart love.”
1 John 4:16-19 tells us that God is love. Our expression should be love. What does love look like?
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way.Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever…(NLT)
Love is a Person. Replace “it” and “love” with “Christ”! These are expressions of Him!
Mark 10:45 For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give My life as a ransom for many. (NLT)
He’s a servant and gives Himself freely.
What does Christ look like?
Galatians 5:22-23 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. (NLT)
These are the personality traits of Christ.
I love this prayer from Jesus for us! A prayer for us to be one, with Him and each other and that the world will believe Abba sent Him and that he loves us just as much as He loves Jesus. In being one, rather, knowing we are one with Him, we will express Christ. People will see Him.
John 17:21-23 My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as You and I are one, Father—that just as You are in Me and I am in You, so they will be in Us, and the world will believe You sent Me. I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one, as We are—I in them and You in Me, all being perfected into one. Then the world will know that You sent Me and will understand that You love them as much as You love Me. (NLT)
They will know us by our love. They will come to know Him by our love. Allow Him to be your standard beloved ones.