Christians Making Points for Themselves

Carol prayed for her daughter and husband to have Christian friends who would invite them to church. She was thrilled when her daughter and her husband became friends with a Christian couple and even had dinner in their home. When their new friends invited them to church, they declined. That was the end of the friendship.

"That is the third time that has happened to them," Carol said. "It would have been better if they had never met these Christian friends. They think Christians are just trying to make points for themselves."

Artificial love is not new. Paul chose Timothy to go to the Philippians because of his sincere love. "I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ" (Philippians 2:20, 21 NLT).

If we're appearing to be full of love, we may only be doing it because we want others to think we're loving. There may be a hidden agenda--a reason behind that generosity or gracious smile.

Our primary emphasis should be on actually allowing Christ's love to live in us. Then as we are sensitive to ways to express His love living in us, all we do will be used of Him.

Jesus, fill me with Your love and compassion for all those I am with today.

"Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other" (Romans 12:9, 10 NLT).