Loving Each Other

Good Morning!

Romans 12:9-13 (New International Version, ©2011)
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

One of my co-workers has been sharing some of the goings on in her church. I don’t know if you would call it gossip because I really don’t know anyone other than her – and the issues are some common to many churches regardless of denomination. It seems they are in a money crunch – I would imagine that most church bodies are feeling the pinch nowadays. And they have had to institute some cost cutting measures – including having to let some staff go. Therein lies the basis for conflict – and conflict has come. And with it, hurt feelings and anger and all the accompanying stuff that goes on.

So how do we show sincere love for one another? How can we show our devotion to one another in love?

Well, I know that financial resources are and will always be in short supply in the majority of our church bodies. And I know that sometimes the remedy to the short supply is to take what appears to be draconian measures. People get hurt. Things that should be done don’t get done. And discouragement seems to reign.

I wish I had a good answer to the money problems that face our church bodies. I don’t. I believe God is capable of taking the meager resources we have and doubling and tripling them. After all, He managed to feed thousands on five loaves and two fish. I guess He can handle the light bill, the water bill, the gas bill, and so on. Perhaps we need to get down to near no resources to appreciate His power.

Here’s what I do know. Jesus told me to love my fellow Christian no matter what. Sometimes that is easy. Many times it isn’t. And I am quite certain there are a number of folks who find me to be difficult, opinionated, etc. Still, you are to love me and I am to love you. And I am not talking “plastic” love. I am talking sincere, devoted love … love that cares about the hurts and the heartaches you are feeling. So let’s break down what Paul tells:

(1) Our love must be sincere. How often have you heard someone say they loved you but you knew better?
(2) We should hate evil and cling to good. In short, we should see “the good” in people.
(3) Our love must go beyond the spoken word to the action – even if it hurts.
(4) We must be devoted to one another in love. Our love for our Christian brother and sister must be a constant love – not one that throws a person away because of some dispute. We must work through our disagreements or in spite of our disagreements.
(5) Honor one another above yourselves. I think Paul hit the nail on the head here. Usually the most violent disagreements come when we want our way and are unwilling to even consider anything else.
(6) Never be lacking in zeal but keep up your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. I had a deacon stop me at church Sunday and pay me quite a compliment. She told me that a prayer I had uttered had really lifted her up because of my enthusiasm. We should never let discouragement defeat us – we serve God Almighty.
(7) Be joyful in hope – patient in affliction – faithful in prayer. Enough said.
(8) Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. To do this, you have to have loved them enough to know there was a need.
(9) Practice hospitality. Welcome people. Open your heart and allow them to come into your life. Show them the love of Christ in yours.

Well, I don’t know what will happen with my friend’s church. I hope apologies will be made and accepted. I hope relationships are patched up and made stronger. I hope each person will learn to love one another. Of course, we can always pray that will happen even if we don’t know the people by name.

Have a blessed day!

Agape’


Mr. Jim