While i really liked what he said about inviting heaven or hell to earth with our actions, i was also moved by two previous thoughts. Where Bell says When Jesus speaks of loving our neighbor, it isn't just for our neighbor's sake. If we don't love our neighbor, something happens to us. It really lays out the whole idea of bring heaven to earth and portraying the image of God through our actions not only encourages others and helps them see Jesus, but helps us to connect to Him by following his will and really just submitting to Him and letting the Holy Spirit guide our lives.
And also how true is it when Bell said when they become we and he becomes me. Its so easy just to pull the holier than thou card, but its really humbling when you realize that were filling a void with the exact same thing as 'that sinner over there.' And really no matter how hard we try we will always fall down because of our sinful nature. as Paul says in Romans 7:21 I have discovered this principle of life-that when i want to do what is right, i inevitably do what is wrong.. But in Romans 8:9-10 he says But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. And Christ lives within you!
So Christ will shine through our lives simply (or not so simply) by submitting to Him. Even though we are all screwups, this promise provides a lot of hope!
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