Opening Hearts to God
Pursuing Christlikeness was of paramount importance to committed believers in past centuries. Strategies for developing the fruit of the Spirit and Christlike virtue prompted much discussion and analysis, both verbal and written. They painstakingly considered all facets of these character qualities to determine how best to live them out in their daily lives. Quite frankly, many of them make us look like rank amateurs in comparison. We can learn much from them.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth,” (Mt 5:5, NIV). If ever a statement defined success, this would be it. Some, unfortunately, settle for cash now instead of a promise of salvation later. The richest people on earth can afford to buy whole islands for themselves. I envy them. I mean, I really envy them. But Jesus said the meek will inherit the whole earth — an island in the cosmos. Now that’s a deal.
John the Baptist was a humble guy, but some of John’s followers became jealous when some others began to follow Jesus. They didn’t like the competition.
