We have to get rid of the idea that we must “do” good things, and remember what Jesus said when He left us a strong message in His words to His disciples …
Matt 28:17-20 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” ESV
And He underlined that in His words to Peter …
John 21:17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” ESV
Remember, Jesus told us that Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:38). Or as one commentator put it … In the life of a Christian, it is never “do do” – it is “be be.” That is the key to allowing Jesus to “do” through us. And the only way that is going to happen is if we are ever growing in our family likeness to Him.
We need to ask ourselves: Are we getting more noble and humbler as we grow older; does our life reflect to others that we have been walking with Jesus; or are we getting even more determined to live our life and “do” things our own way? Our challenge is to set aside our focus on “doing” and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us the art of “being:” sharing the love of God; surrendering our point of view in order to learn Jesus’ point of view and seeing that others are nourished in the knowledge of Him. And we can only accomplish that by “being” loyal to Jesus and not to ourselves; by “being” loyal to His doctrine – His beliefs – and not our own. And that takes us back up to the beginning … we are to “make disciples” by “feeding His sheep.” Or put another way, investing in the spiritual growth of others as the Holy Spirit invests in our spiritual growth (Rom 8:29) … You knew I was going to get there at some point.
The love of the bridegroom is in His bride. Our challenge is to learn how to express that love by changing our focus and stopping our “doing” and starting our “being.”