How different the Bible is from the world that we live in. As followers of Christ we are called apart from the world to be a different, a particular people; we are called to be God's people. Those of this world will invariably weigh the situation and choose to do nothing unless there is some gain for them. What is in it for me, is the question most ask before doing anything. We are born self centered and pleasure seeking. Unless we have the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we will die the same way. When we are born again, adopted into God's family, He removes the heart of stone that is man's by nature and replaces it with a heart of flesh. This new heart can know love, and give love without any preconditions being met.

QUESTION: What statement should we never use?

QUESTION: Is it possible for a Christian to not care and it not be sin?

"I don't care" pours from our lips so often. We apply it to so many different situations. Is this true? Can it be that we don't really care? When challenged most will continue to deny that they care. Often I think we have taken a position and our pride demands that we defend the position. I do know that for a believer to not care grieves the Holy Spirit. Since Scripture "commands" us in so many places to love one another, it isn't stretching the word of God to say such a statement about anything is sin. We are a new person, and are reconciled to our Creator. We are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ, the very essence of love. You cannot love and not care. We are a new creation and should act and live like it. The new us is not just for Sunday mornings, but for every moment of every day we live. We must move our beliefs out of Sunday School and into the world we live in.

God set the example for us. How fantastic the life we live is when we can begin to live as God would have us live. God would have us putting the welfare of another before own selves. We are directed to do good toward those who do evil things to us; to pray for our enemies. We are to live by the example God set for us. God did not ask what we could do for Him before He chose to care for us. He in return asks us to share His love and mercy with the world around us. God made the first move toward man, that man might enter a personal relationship with God.

QUESTION: Does this have an effect on our relationships with those we do love?

The word relationship is the key to living the proactive life of love. In a "relationship" we have knowledge of the other person and we care about the other person and their well being. When we truly care about another, they will care about us in return. The opposite is also true, when we don't care, we will not be cared for. At the earliest of ages we all begin to seek others to be our friends. Many of us will never have "close" friends that we know we can count on despite the circumstances. Why? Because too many of us cannot make the commitment to a relationship that such friendship requires. When "friends" become responsibilities, we move on to the next relationship. I have boldly used the word "many" in these statements, it could have been most. The proof lies in the divorce record for this nation. The best statistics place the rate of divorce for first marriages at 50 percent and some use 60 percent as an accurate measurement. The most sacred relationship in the entire world is marriage. Yet, because we cannot put the needs of another before self, it is cast aside.

Question: What do we mean by being proactive or the one to go first?

A relationship demands two way caring. But, a relationship cannot begin unless one party is willing to be the first to show that they care. God set the example for us, He loved us with an unconditional love, first! As God's children we are called to share His love with all the world, first. We should not precondition our caring for another on anything they have or have not done, or may do. Unconditional love is God's way. Jesus Christ calls us to emulate His example; Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.

Question: What practical benefit is there to living this proactive life of care and love?

There is a practical benefit in obeying God. This benefit is paid in this life, not heaven. When we apply God's rules to our lives, and especially how we interact with others, we reap a harvest of friends. Because we are less selfish and able to give more of ourselves, we find others more giving toward us. Two way relationships are formed. Relationships based on unconditional love lift and enrich the lives of all parties involved. Friendships that begin in love will stand the test of time, all others are doomed to failure. Need friends? Be a friend!

© 1^st EPC Clover, SC — May 2000