Our Lord Jesus sums up living positively with two rules: \u201c\u2018You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.\u2019 This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: \u2018You shall love your neighbor as yourself.\u2019 There is no other commandment greater than these.\u201d (Mark 12:30-31).<\/p>\n
Of course, if we love God with everything we have, we won\u2019t disobey him. And if we love our neighbors, we won\u2019t steal from them, lie to them, or do any of the other negative things that can destroy their happiness and peace of mind (and ours!). However, none of us is perfect, and the Scriptures warn God\u2019s people over and over against the ungodly, negative behavior that it\u2019s so easy to fall into.<\/p>\n
But how can you and I avoid such behavior and live more positively? One thing\u2019s for sure: we can\u2019t live as we should in our own strength. All of us sin and come short of God\u2019s desire for us (Romans 3:23). \u201cWithout faith it is impossible to please Him [God]\u201d (Hebrews 11:6). Today we can live as we should by \u201clooking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith\u201d (Hebrews 12:2).<\/p>\n
An old Cherokee Indian tried to help his grandson by telling him about the war between good and evil that affects everyone. He said, \u201cThe battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, greed, arrogance, self-pity, resentment, inferiority, lies, and false pride. The other wolf is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.\u201d The boy asked, \u201cWhich one wins?\u201d The old Indian answered, \u201cThe one you feed.\u201d<\/p>\n
What are you doing to feed your positive side, to help good triumph in your own life? The closer you live to God, the more positive, upbeat and truly successful you will be. Read your Bible; pray; attend worship services. Join with the Psalmist in saying, \u201cIt is good for me to draw near to God\u201d (73:28).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n