1 John 4:7-12 “What are they looking at”

1 John 4:7-12 “What are they looking at”

1874 Eads Bridge was the first steel bridge, the longest bridge, and no one trusted it. The bridge spanned the Mississippi river at St. Louis, with two rail tracks on the lower level and 4 lanes on the top. The designer Mr. Eads wanted to prove the bridge so he led an elephant across it while 14 locomotives crossed back and forth below. People believed an elephant would not cross a structure that would not hold their weight. The bridge is still in use today.

When it comes to faith and churches people are skeptical. So many denominations, church fights, phony people, and self-righteousness. People are watching and waiting for some kind of proof about the love of God. This passage has a lot to say about this need for proof.

Read vs 7-12

Love is the proof
                the one who loves others is born of God
                the one who does not love is not born of God
                Not just any kind of love
                vs 9-10
                We are called to love as Jesus loved

They are looking at what you will do
                like the people of St. Louis watching the elephant
                Condemn them, judge them, ignore them, listen to them, understand them, walk with them, or even carry them? Will give up on them when they make mistakes or sin?

Steve Camp “don’t tell them Jesus loves them until you’re ready to love them to, with a heart full of compassion for the pain they are going through.”

Love them: those who look like you and those who are not so much
                James 2:1-4
                Matthew 5:43-48

Look around you and see them, ask God to show them to you
identify what is standing in your way, what wall is in your mind or heart
How could you make one positive step to break it down, just one step.

Two weeks from now I will start a series on the Gospel of John. Knowing Jesus, the Jesus you know and the Jesus you don’t. It will be a great place to bring a new person to.

Who is out there that needs you to love them as Jesus did?
What is one step you could take to reach them?