robert wendt@robertkwendt || lead pastor Just the other day, I received a text from my wife. It was a picture of my son in a dog cage with two of his friends. While it may seem so innocent at first, it represents something that we all do as human beings: we follow. We follow the example of those around us. We follow our family, our friends, our co-workers, and our neighbors. Here's the point: Who we follow impacts how we behave. Who we follow impacts how we behave." @robertkwendt when we walk with the world, we look like the world.We all reflect something. Who we surround ourselves with actually influences the image that we radiate. When I was a teenager, I put blond highlights in my hair. Why? (After all, it looked horrible because I had red hair.) I did it because it was popular at the time. The boyband craze was in full swing, and I had to do what they were doing. This concept of reflecting something goes beyond our hairstyle, however. When we look at what Paul told the Colossians, we're able to gain insight into what following the ways of the world looks like. Colossians 3:7-9 says, "You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language." Did you catch it? It's time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. These are the ways in which we often act when we follow the example of the world around us. Do whatever it takes to succeed. Be the strong man. Push others down. Think about yourself. Say things to make you sound cool. This is the world's thinking, but there's a different approach. We can follow the example of God. when we walk with god, we look more like god.Colossians 3:12-13 says, "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." Mercy. Kindness. Humility. Gentleness. Patience. These are characteristics and behaviors we have when we are walking more and more in step with God. Who would ever get mad at someone for living in this way? So, how do we do this? How do we walk more like God? We act more like Jesus. This is done through continually asking ourselves this one very important question... how can i respond with love?Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony." Colossians 3:14 NLT What would happen if we responded with love to people? The world likes to throw this word around, but love is something that is from God. After all, God is love. Through following Jesus, we're able to see what true love looks like. Romans 5:8 states, "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." God showed us what true love looks like. It's sacrificing one's own good for the sake of another. If we're to be honest, we don't often do this. But when we walk more and more with God, we discover more and more ways to put others first. We find more ways to show love. always. || challenge ||Choose to show love in your conversations and interactions with others.
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