GREEN-EYED OR CHRIST-EYED?
February 21, 2020 Blog Admin
In Devotionals

TSP DAILY DEVOTIONAL
GREEN-EYED OR CHRIST-EYED?
21st February 2020
Dr. Phil Ransom-Bello

KEY SCRIPTURE/MEMORY VERSE: 1 Corinthians 3:3( NKJV)
For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

As we spend time unwrapping insightful and practical lessons on God’s love, I realize that we are getting a rounded and broad perspective in our understanding of Love- both as the person of God and as an outworking in our lives.
It is my prayer that as we increase in understanding, we continue to yield to the Spirit of love and His work in us.

From our text today, Paul says here, that the expression of envy, strife, contention is a pointer to carnality. In other words, it is a reflection of immaturity, of self in the life of a believer and as we established some days ago, self is not love. There’s no room for it. In fact, anyone who will express love cannot be self-seeking.

As I pointed out yesterday, 1 Corinthians 13 is a practical guide that highlights how love is represented and how it is not. In verse 4 in particular, we see that love does not envy.

For the believer, the expression of envy is basically a return to living as a mere man. And we know that scripture tells us that if anyone is in Christ, he is now a new creation(2 Corinthians 5:17).
New Creation! That is, the old man can no longer be found.
Christ is now your life!(Colossians 3:4)
So do you see that you no longer have the ability to live as mere, ordinary men?

You must understand that envy is the work of the devil that finds expression from a mind that’s insecure. In fact, when envy is expressed, it basically means that you don’t believe what God said about you. If you know the love source you have received and you believe that it already covers you, then there won’t be a need to feel insecure or threatened by the results or experiences of your neighbour or friend.

Guess what? Sometimes, the natural man, your self will actually get envious of someone or something. It’s important to realize that.
But rather than stay there or wallow in condemnation, you can redirect the attention of your thoughts to how love sees that situation. And how does Love see good? Love rejoices.

The next time something good happens for someone and you are tempted to ask the question-
“How about me too?
Or
“When will it be my turn for a miracle?”, speak to your heart and instruct your heart to deliberately express genuine happiness for the good of that person.

As the love beings that we are, we see and respond to the results of others through different lenses. Our lenses have changed in colour from self to Christ.
Our sight and perception is transformed to reflect His perception and sight.

REFLECTION
Do I give in to self or to the Spirit of love in my response to the successes or results of others?

DECLARATION
-I am a love being.
-Christ is now my life. I no longer have the capacity to live like an ordinary or mere man.
-I increase in knowledge and I am yielded to the working of the Spirit of love.
-The love I have received from God is not insecure. I believe His promises wholeheartedly. I am confident that the source of my love has covered me.
-I instruct my heart to always respond through the lens of love which is to rejoice.
-The ability to envy or be in strive cannot be found in me.
-This is my new normal.
-Today, testimonies abound for me because the Gospel works.

HEARING BY THE WORD
(Recommended Listening)

Listen to LOVE ~ The Series 2 >> Dr. Phil by The StandPoint Church on #SoundCloud