CHOOSING to Love
Select a ‘do’ to replace a ‘don’t do’
Let me illustrate. The importance of choosing a “do” to replace a “don’t do” came to me in a story about one of the best pitchers in the history of Major League Note: At the beginning of the year I decided to use this Baseball, Warren Spahn. Let’s go back to the 1957 space to focus on God’s greatest command. If you’re conWorld Series, and in Game 4, Spahn was one out away necting with this series for the first time and would like to from winning the game for his team, the Milwaukee read the earlier columns on this topic, I encourage you to Braves. It was the top of the ninth and the Braves were visit Christian Living’s website to read the whole series. ahead 4 to 1, but two men were on base for the New Visit https://www.christianlivingmag.com/columns/ York Yankees, and respected slugger Elston Howard was at the plate with a full count. When asked, Jesus said the greatest command is, Spahn’s manager came out to the mound. He said “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and only one sentence: “Whatever you do, don’t throw him a high with all your soul and with all your strength.” Then outside pitch.” As the manager walked away, the only he immediately volunteered more information, saywords flashing through Spahn’s mind were “high” and ing, “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor “outside.” And that was the next pitch Spahn threw. as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on Howard swung on it for a home run and tied the game. these two commandments.” Although the Braves eventually went on to win the Daniel Bobinski In modern society, the concept of love often corregame and the series itself, Spahn shared this story lates to having warm fuzzies for someone. This is not throughout the years, questioning why someone would what Jesus meant. Thankfully, the Apostle Paul gave us an itemized motivate another person to do something by giving them a mental picdefinition of “love” in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, and that definition is a ture of what they didn’t want. list of verbs – things we are to DO. I don’t know why the Apostle Paul didn’t follow Warren Spahn’s advice As we work through these verbs, note that in some places Paul (yes, that was humor), but as we go through the verbs in 1 Corinthians 13, tells us what to do, (e.g., be patient, be kind), but also what not to do sometimes Paul tells us what not to do. When that happens, I believe it’s (don’t envy, don’t boast, don’t be proud, etc.). best to seek God and identify an action He might have us do in its place. I strongly believe one key to living a life of agape love is underOptions will always exist, but I believe choosing any godly behavior and standing that nature abhors a vacuum. In other words, we need to focusing on that will be better than relying only on a “don’t do ‘x’.” choose a “do” to replace a “don’t do.” Continued on page 7 By Daniel Bobinski
Honesty • Integrity • Results
• Free Google My Business Audit* • Free Google Ads Account Audit* • Free SEO Algorithm Report*
We c a n g e t y o ur websi te t o t h e t o p o f Googl e! Local Google Certified Ad Company
Reviewed Company
Call or Text: (208)880-5039 Email: wixy@sellidaho.com For the best place to find homes for sale, Or to sign up for automatic updates, go to…
Read our 5 Star Reviews ★ Google Search: SEO Idaho
*Restrictions apply.
Call for FREE SEO Consultation
16201 Idaho Center Blvd. Nampa, ID 83687
208-867-6925
View our portfolio at
w w w . s e o i d a ho.c om www.christianlivingmag.com
“For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalms 100:5
Christian Living | November / December 2020 5
