Open Heart Open Hands

A wise Pastor once said, “Monday is the proof of Sunday.”

Hearing the Word on Sunday is good—but unfortunately it is meaningless unless we seek to live the Word the rest of the week.

“This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us. We too, then, ought to give our lives for others! If we have material possessions and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God? My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.”

-1 John 3:16-18

True love shows itself in action. Repeatedly in scripture, God tells us that our actions flow from our hearts.

Sometimes our hearts start to close. Our hands start to close around the things we have. How do we know our love is growing cold? We look carefully and humbly at how fervently we are loving other people—spouses, children, strangers, neighbors, believers, non-believers.

A closed hand is a symptom of a closed heart.

An open hand is the overflow of an open heart.

Have cynicism, wounding, or worldly wisdom closed the doors of your heart? There is good news. “Christ gave Himself for us.”

Jesus lived His life for others. Every need. Every sin. Every interruption. Every question. Every insult. Ultimately, He laid down His life on a Roman cross as an atoning sacrifice for sin—that you and I might have eternal life.

Jesus is THE source of self-giving love. It is only through the power Jesus gives us through the Holy Spirit that we can give our lives for others.

“This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us. We too, then, ought to give our lives for others!”

- 1 John 3:16