The Third Law
Sometimes we don’t recognize the amount of impact our actions and thoughts have on others. Every action has a reaction, right? At least I think that’s what my science teacher said in high school, I was too busy drawing to remember precisely. It is called Newton’s Third Law. Before you think, “wow Scott is brilliant” I Googled it. Honesty is the best policy.
If we were to look at our own lives, we could probably identify quickly. The way your father spoke to you, showed love, mentored, or a lack thereof has had its impact on you. The Third Law. You trust (or lack thereof) other men the way you were able to trust your father. Your past relationships provide some assumption of your new ones. You bring baggage. So the way you were treated and the way you handled the relationship is what you bring along with you. The Third Law.
This can be a bad thing, but it also can be a good thing.
In Mark, we can see the impact of a few men in their friend's life. These four men carry their friend, a paralyzed man to meet Jesus. And when they arrive at the house, the crowd was so large they couldn’t get close to Jesus.
Mark 2:4-5 " 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Alright. First off the guys remove part of the roof, vandalism? If I were the homeowner, I would not be that happy about some guys ripping apart my home.
There is something important here to recognize. After the men lower their friend down it says "Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”” Jesus saw the friends faith, and in turn, the paralyzed man received mercy and forgiveness. The friend's faith was imparted onto another person's life. Their actions changed this mans life forever. The Third Law.
Jesus saw the friends faith, and in turn, the paralyzed man received mercy and forgiveness.
Your actions can have a much more significant impact than you probably imagine. Your faith can transform and save other people. Are you living with this understanding?
How far would you go for Jesus? Would you remove a roof? Would you visit someone at the hospital? Would you answer that phone call at 2AM? Would you meet up and have a crucial conversation for unity? How far will you go?
What can your faith do for others? Will you live out your faith recognizing it impacts reaches much further than your personal life but affects so many others!
How far will you go? Remember the Third Law.
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