As water moves, it etches its imprint on everything it touches. A waterfall carves into rock and earth. The beauty of places such as Antelope Canyon in Arizona was created by rushing, flowing water. Rushing, flowing water can also cause destruction, by removing earth from its place, destroying bridges and roads, and knocking houses off their foundations.
Waterfalls are beautiful to observe, yet mudslides rip away hillsides. Water can be clean and pure flowing out of mountain rocks or undrinkable in the middle of the ocean. It is amazing how something that surrounds us can either be good or bad, depending on where it is.
Water is a much needed resource to preserve life, yet too much of it can snuff out life very quickly.
What we allow into our hearts and the influence we have on the hearts of others around us is much the same. It can be beautiful or destructive, preserve life or end life, and show the love of Jesus or put us into bondage.
1. We have a responsibility for what comes into our hearts. A children’s song our church would sing is:
“O be careful little eyes what you see,
O be careful little eyes what you see,
There’s a Father up above,
And He’s looking down in love,
So, be careful little eyes what you see.”
“O be careful little ears what you hear…”
“O be careful little hands what you do…”
“O be careful little feet where you go…”
“O be careful little mouth what you say…”
What we allow into our hearts etches it forever. Either we become beautiful or we become destructive or destroyed. “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” 1 Corinthians 10:23 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9
When we are careful in our living and strive to follow the Lord in all He teaches, we become a beautiful person, etched by the hand of God, a vessel of honor. “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21
2. We have a responsibility for what we put into the hearts of others. “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” Matthew 5:38-47
Just as what we allow into our heart etches it forever, the influence we have on other people etches them forever too. Jesus here is prescribing the adoption of love as our primary behavior toward other people. We have a responsibility and a duty not to be toxic people. True, toxicity is not always purposefully chosen. Sometimes toxicity arises from influences upon us in our formative years. However, we still have a responsibility for the choices we make. It’s a choice we make to be toxic, just like it is a choice to turn to Christ and respond to His call on our lives.
Jesus provides a very comprehensive outline of what it looks like to love another person. No one is saying these choices are easy, yet it is Christ’s definition of love. It is the standard of living Christ says He will accept in us. If we want to be acceptable to Him and gain entrance into heaven, then we must adopt the attitude and behavior that He says He will find acceptable.
A key instruction in Christ’s words is to be different from the world. If someone means evil to another person, it is expected that the other person will strike back in evil. Jesus tells us not to repay evil for evil but to repay evil with love. It is unexpected and demonstrates to the world that we belong to a different Master.
Elsewhere in the Scriptures we are told something similar. “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” 1 Peter 3:15
Our behavior is a launching pad for the gospel message to take root in other people, or our behavior can simply be evil just like the world. Either way, one day we will account for what we chose to do.
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