1 John 4:20
“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”
John 12:24
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
Philippians 3:10
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”
Reflection
Knowing Christ is what brings fullness, which is why it matters so much to distinguish between talking about intimacy with Him and living it. Scripture offers a simple test: intimacy with Christ shows in how we treat others. John says it plainly: whoever claims to love God and hates their brother is deceiving themselves. A tongue full of criticism, judgment, and destruction toward those who serve does not harmonize with a heart that has beheld the face of Christ, because whoever has been so loved and forgiven has no need to tear others down in order to feel secure.
With balance, it should be said that this does not mean every observation about a ministry is judgment. Scripture also calls us to discern, to correct with gentleness and, when necessary, to speak the truth in love, first to the person and with the aim of restoring. The difference lies in the spirit: criticism that destroys is born of pride or wounds; correction that builds up is born of love.
Jesus also teaches how we arrive at that depth: the grain of wheat must fall into the ground and die in order to bear fruit. The breaking of the soul, that process in which our defenses, our need to be right, and our self-image are surrendered, is the road to resurrection life. Paul longed to know Him, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings. It is not a path sought with harshness toward oneself; it is one the Father accompanies with tenderness, and through which He makes us more humble, more sensitive, and more like Christ.
And what is born from there is beautiful: whoever dies to self becomes light and becomes seed. A surrendered life does not remain alone, but bears fruit and multiplies, until from a small seed grows a great tree under whose shade others find rest and life.
Meditation for today
Do my words about others, especially those who serve, build up or tear down?
What area of my life needs to “fall into the ground” and surrender so that it can bear fruit?
What seed does the Father want to sow through me, and am I willing to be broken so that it can grow?
Prayer
Father, thank You that knowing You is my fullness. Examine my heart and show me if there is criticism, judgment, or pride hidden in my words. Forgive me for the times I have torn others down instead of building them up.
Break in me whatever needs to be broken, with Your tenderness and in Your time, so that I may live the resurrection life. Make me light and make me seed, so that from my life a tree may grow that blesses many. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Blessings beloved
Ana Mendez Ferrell