Are You Real?

“The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (John 10:2-4)

Real experiences ring true.  When we hear our child call our name or when we see a crowd cheer for a sports team, we know that these experiences are heartfelt.  We also know when something is unreal. We can sense when someone is trying to sell us something or when someone is not being honest with us.

Jesus used the example of a shepherd coming through the gate to describe the authentic relationship He wanted with everyone He met.  He cast himself as the shepherd who truly cared about each person and wanted them to experience His love and salvation.

When people heard this, they knew He was the “real thing.”  People trusted Him and were drawn to Him because of this authenticity.  When we step out to help, are we real in our service? Whether you are helping in the church nursery, volunteering for a short-term mission trip, or baking cookies for your neighbor, Jesus expects us to serve out of love and compassion. 

So, as you walk out the door for your act of service, ask yourself why you’re involved. If the answer is love, then the result will be an authentic witness that represents Jesus well.

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