There is a lot of content discussing masculine versus feminine energy and why we jump from one category to the next based on the individuals we are around and our environment. What we don’t see is discussion about Christian energy. Independent women explain how they live in their masculine energy because they are fulfilling the role of protector and provider – taking care of themselves and their family; leaving them to only relax into their feminine energy when a masculine person is around to step into that role. As Christians, we don’t have to try to fulfill the role of protector and provider because God is already doing it for us. We can relax into our Christian energy and let Him occupy that role!
What does Christian energy look like? What does the Bible say about how we should purport ourselves? Two main characteristics jump out at me:
LOVE:
Love is often described as a choice. As a Christian, we choose to love others because the Bible instructs us to love them as we love ourselves, and because we love God. According to Webster’s 1828 dictionary love is: “In a general sense to be pleased with; to regard with affection, on account of some qualities which excite pleasing sensations or desire of gratification.” We choose to love others on account of qualities they possess.
I John 4:19 eloquently describes the attribute that causes us to love God: “We love him, because he first loved us.” More than saying He loves us, He put actions to His words! Have you ever had a person in your life that said all of the things you wanted to hear, but their actions did not match their words? Everything in me wants to believe what they say to me, but when the actions don’t match, I lose confidence in them and eventually lose all trust in their words. Not only does God’s actions match His words, He made the ultimate sacrifice because of His love for us: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
We also love ourselves. At the end of the day, the average person will choose to take care of themselves above everyone else. Society is constantly impressing a message into our minds to “put yourself first” and “do what’s right for you.” But that message does not match what the Bible tells us to do:
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandments. And the second if like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
The Bible commands Christians to love others as we love ourselves. That’s a tall order! It is easy for me to have a “me first” mindset, it comes so naturally to my selfish self. But Christian energy puts me in a state of mind to put God and my love for Him above all else, and to put others before myself. When I am struggling to keep God a priority in my life: to put going to church, reading my Bible, listening to worshipful music, praying, and wanting to talk about Him first, I know I am not choosing to love Him as I should. And when I want to love myself more than other people, I know I am not living in Christian energy.
“We cannot reach people we do not love.” ~Dr. Gerald McKelroy
KIND:
When we are choosing to love others, the next step is to be kind in our mannerisms. Christian energy does not require that we defend ourselves, put others down, mock people when they aren’t perfect, or slander them when we don’t agree with their decisions. Rather, Christian energy requires that we are kind to others regardless of their actions or of whether or not they deserve it. We are kind because is it who we are supposed to be, because the Bible says so:
“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
Our kindness is not a reflection of the other person, it is a reflection of our inner selves. Just as when others are unkind to you, it is not a reflection of you but of their own selves.
By very definition of the word Christians are to be Christ-like. There are many more characteristics that accompany being Christ-like, such as the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith. I believe that love and kindness encompass all of these.
Christ set a beautiful example for Christians to follow of doing all things with love and kindness. The question is, are we willing to examine our own behaviors, honestly assess our own opportunities for growth within how we currently treat people, and intentionally work on improving the depth to which we handle others with love and kindness – allowing us to radiate Christian energy?
