witness

This Is Love

/ Gail Johnson / 17 Comments

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13: 34-35 KJV

When thinking about a Valentine’s Day post, I decided to talk about love for one another. After this past year, I think it would be a good idea to review what the Lord’s definition of love truly is by revisiting the Gospels and reading about His love, life, and sacrifice.

How are we to love?

In the above scripture, the Lord states, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

We find His example, “as I have loved you” in the 34th verse.

The world will know we are His disciples if we love one another as He loves us.

Not by knowledge of scripture.

Not by piety.

Not by miracles.

Not by good works.

But by our sacrificial love for one another.

I’m not saying we should turn a blind eye to wrongdoing but conduct ourselves as His children in word and action.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32 KJV

Winning Others

The disciples were fishers of men. If we are to win others, then we must love and forgive one another as Christ loves and forgives us. Men, women, and children must see a united people (John 17:21) filled with the gifts of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). I don’t know about you, but I do not want to be a noisy nuisance (1 Corinthians 13:1).

May we be true disciples of Him during this month and the months to come!

A World of Difference

/ Gail Johnson / 6 Comments

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew 5:13

This past weekend, we decided to visit one of our favorite restaurants. Hubby ordered the hamburger steak. I ordered chicken and dumplings. And, Lulu ordered chicken fried chicken. Yummy! However, when the food arrived, the dumplings were not light and airy, but thick and doughy. Ugh!

Tired and ready for home, I decided to choose the best and leave the rest. But the waitress walked over and asked about the dumplings. When I hesitated, she grabbed my plate and said, “I didn’t like the way they looked in the first place. But I was going to let you decide. Then, I was going to say something. But, I couldn’t stand it any longer.”

I immediately liked this woman. She was animated…and loud. A character not easily forgotten.

After bringing another plate to the table, she waited for my response. I told her the second plate was a little better. Then, she announced they had a new cook.

Ah. That explained it, right? 🙂

With my problem somewhat resolvedsalt-791655_1280, I asked Lulu about her chicken.

“I can’t tell if it’s the breading or the gravy. Something isn’t right.”

Wanting to make it right, I reached across the table, speared a piece, and tasted. Hmmm. Easy fix.

“It needs salt.”

Lulu looked skeptical.

I reached for the salt and gave it a few shakes. “Stir and taste.”

She still wasn’t convinced but decided to give it a try, anyway. Afterwards, she grinned and said, “A world of difference.”

“Isn’t it amazing what a little salt can do?”

She nodded, chewing another piece.

As I watched her enjoying the meal, I thought of all the problems in the world. Some are an easy fix. All that is needed is salt. While others are like the thick and doughy dumplings. Only a seasoned expert can create the needed solution.

Jesus said WE are the salt of the earth. Too much salt makes food inedible. Not enough salt makes it tasteless. But the right amount of salt makes food palatable and produces a desire for more.

Our witness can make a world of difference. The rest we leave in God’s capable hands and pray.

How would you describe your witness? Inedible, tasteless, or perfectly seasoned? How would others describe you?