Outworking of Love for the Lord

THE OUTWORKING OF LOVE FOR THE LORD

1. What are the keys to continuing freshness in your love relationship with the Lord Jesus?

Keys for me are: Continually turning from distractions, frustrations and negative thought patterns that foster apathy or hardness of heart to receive His grace in each situation, large or small; expressing my appreciation of Him in thanksgiving and praise throughout the day, and delighting in the discovery of His goodness demonstrated in people, nature or situations throughout the day; Taking time away from normal routine to focus on Him alone.

2. What do you experience of the Holy Spirit’s speaking and leading in your every day life?

I often sense His prompting to call a certain person at a certain time or to attend to a matter or ignore another. He may wish to reveal something about myself that He wants to attend to, or about another person that he wants to pray through me for. At times He reminds me of something at a crucial moment, etc. Sometimes he will draw my attention to something humorous or point out areas of beauty or loveliness in a person or other object of Father’s love and creation.

3. Can you describe your everyday communication with God? Has this changed much since you first gave your life to Christ?

We talk about various things during the day, either that arise through circumstance or that the Holy Spirit has laid on my heart. We probably talk mostly about people, but generally about any area where direction, wisdom or strength is needed. I express my frustrations and concerns to Him, sometimes rather passionately, and sometimes express my love for Him with the same intensity.

When I first began to follow Christ, I more regularly spent an hour or more in prayer each day. Now, my communication with Him is ongoing throughout the day, while more protracted times of communication and communion are less frequent.

4. What is worship to you these days? How does it play a part in your everyday life?

Worship to me is recognizing Father’s love, goodness and power, and yielding myself to Him in response. I consider everything I do unto Him, whether it be eating, working on the yard, doing a project or counselling, etc. as worship. Whenever I become discouraged, irritated or frustrated, I realize that I’ve begun worshipping myself, always the signal to turn my focus back on Him who alone is worthy.

5. What is your experience of blessings and disappointments in your relationship with other believers?

I am blessed to be in relationship with other believers who are open, real, and who walk in love. We still run into rough spots together, but working them out always draws us closer to Father and to one another. It’s been very refreshing to experience true community among those who have abandoned the trappings of organized religion and made significant sacrifices to pursue an intimate relationship with Father and genuine relationships with one another.

I’ve been disappointed by those who are spiritually gifted, yet whose priorities seem to belie the grace God has given them. A couple of my peers when I was an institutional “church” pastor began the journey toward freedom from religious obligation only to turn back when the going got rough. That has also been a disappointment.

6. What is your present understanding of local church life, leadership and structure?

I understand local church life to be the outworking of love for the Lord, one another and for the lost, through a community of believers who walk together in genuine relationships. I believe that love is expressed through “one anothering” and by befriending and serving those that don’t yet know Him.

Leadership describes those in the family whose maturity in Christ provides wisdom and example for those who are younger in the Lord. They are able to help guide and encourage others in the journey and help them to avoid pitfalls. I believe that leadership is functional and temporary rather than positional and static.

I see the church as a family with Christ alone as the head, therefore loving relationships based in and springing from relationship with Christ maintain the unity, direction and flow of life. I do not see organized meetings being central to church life, but I do believe it is vital for believers whether two, three or more to get together often to encourage one another.

7. What 2 or 3 things have become increasingly important to you over the period since you first trusted in the Lord?

Learning to receive Father’s love and genuinely loving others. The other things I used to deem so important seem to fall into place under those two priorities.

8. What 2 or 3 things have become quite unimportant/ meaningless/ valueless to you since God ‘turned your life around’?

Position, opinions (mine included)

9. At the present time, what is your main area of desire, concern or aspiration?

I long to know Christ in greater fullness as well as see others come out of bondage into His freedom. I long to see the time when those that don’t know Him will no longer equate God with religion because they will see Him in those who love them with His love.

by David Fredrickson, USA