"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart." Eccl 4:9-12
Today it seems that all of life is about the individual. It is all about what "I" think and how "I" express myself. People are going to greater and greater lengths to distinguish themselves from others. This neo-individualism manifests itself most tragically as selfishness. We can become so consumed with satisfying ourselves that we begin to do so at the expense of others. Adultery is an act of selfishness. Murder is an act of selfishness. Theft is an act of selfishness. And getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is an act of selfishness. The opposite of love is not hate, but selfishness.
Beloved, God's design for humanity is togetherness and selflessness. It was God who looked down on Adam and decided that he should not be alone. It was God who told Adam and Eve to populate the earth. It was God who gathered to himself a people who would carry forth his message of reconciliation to himself and to one another to all peoples. It was the Lord who said that we should love God with all of ourselves and similarly, love others as we love ourselves. We have been taught that it is better to give to others than to receive from others and to prefer others over ourselves.
The fact is we need each other. None of us were designed or destined to be alone. We heard the good news of the Lord's love from someone who cared and as a result are called to share that same good news with someone else. The benefit is that we all benefit. If we would all strive to take care of others, we ourselves would be taken care of by others and we would cease to know need. More so than ever we must bind ourselves together in the love of the Lord that we might live out his will for our lives and accomplish his good.
Committed,
Lee
Showing posts with label Loving One Another. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Loving One Another. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Monday, February 13, 2012
A Loving Response-1/13/2012
"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." Luke 6:31
"Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." Gal 6:2
Beloved, I would like to personally thank you for your outpouring of love resulting from last Friday's devotional. Whether you offered good thoughts, prayers, or financial assistance to a Christian brother whose identity you did not at that time know, it was surely a Christian response. You are to be commended for your expression.
And to my revealed brother, thank you for your heart of selflessness. Even in the midst of your valley, your thoughts are of others. In the face of their outpouring, you exemplified Gal 6:5, "For each man shall bear his own burden."
God never meant for us to get through this life alone. To be certain, it is only He that has truthfully said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." That said, He has called us together into one body, in which we all contribute to and benefit from the gifts and efforts of others. We are a family and family takes care of family. Let us remember the latter of the two greatest commandments: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matt 22:39
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
"Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." Gal 6:2
Beloved, I would like to personally thank you for your outpouring of love resulting from last Friday's devotional. Whether you offered good thoughts, prayers, or financial assistance to a Christian brother whose identity you did not at that time know, it was surely a Christian response. You are to be commended for your expression.
And to my revealed brother, thank you for your heart of selflessness. Even in the midst of your valley, your thoughts are of others. In the face of their outpouring, you exemplified Gal 6:5, "For each man shall bear his own burden."
God never meant for us to get through this life alone. To be certain, it is only He that has truthfully said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." That said, He has called us together into one body, in which we all contribute to and benefit from the gifts and efforts of others. We are a family and family takes care of family. Let us remember the latter of the two greatest commandments: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matt 22:39
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Monday, August 8, 2011
We Need Each Other-8/8/2011
"But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Heb 3:13
Beloved, we need each other. Each and every one of us knows what is like to go through this life and have trials, tribulation, troubles and turmoil. Though not the whole of life, it is an inescapable part. All of scripture prioritizes love of God first and immediately thereafter, love of one another. Even the 10 commandments can be broken down into these two critical categories.
God gave us each other in order to help one another. There are times that one may feel mighty in the Lord and therefore then be able to strengthen another. By the same token, that same mighty soldier may suffer a lapse that requires the encouragement of someone who is feeling strong on that day. If we are not there for each other, we could easily find ourselves taking our eyes off of God and the solutions (or patience)He designs and seek our own remedies. Not only is this a recipe for failure, but it displays a lack of faith in our Maker and constitutes sin.
Let us seek opportunities to encourage another. There is always something good, positive and uplifting that can be shared. One never knows when the right word will be spoken at the right time that will make all the difference in someone else's life. Certainly, that person in need could be you.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Beloved, we need each other. Each and every one of us knows what is like to go through this life and have trials, tribulation, troubles and turmoil. Though not the whole of life, it is an inescapable part. All of scripture prioritizes love of God first and immediately thereafter, love of one another. Even the 10 commandments can be broken down into these two critical categories.
God gave us each other in order to help one another. There are times that one may feel mighty in the Lord and therefore then be able to strengthen another. By the same token, that same mighty soldier may suffer a lapse that requires the encouragement of someone who is feeling strong on that day. If we are not there for each other, we could easily find ourselves taking our eyes off of God and the solutions (or patience)He designs and seek our own remedies. Not only is this a recipe for failure, but it displays a lack of faith in our Maker and constitutes sin.
Let us seek opportunities to encourage another. There is always something good, positive and uplifting that can be shared. One never knows when the right word will be spoken at the right time that will make all the difference in someone else's life. Certainly, that person in need could be you.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Monday, August 1, 2011
Mercy-8/1/2011
"Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’" Matt 18:32-35
When one of his disciples asks Jesus about how much and how often forgiveness should be extended, he responds with a parable that relays concepts with which we can all identify. The story is told of a man who was in a greater debt to the king than he could ever hope to repay. Through pleading with his lord, he received forgiveness of his debt and freedom for himself and his family. This same fellow went out and found someone who owed him a relative pittance, beat and berated him and threatened to have him incarcerated.
Beloved, we may hear this story and think, "How awful!" We all maintain a righteous indignation toward an act so filled with ignorance and so bereft of compassion. It is important, however, not to miss ourselves in the picture of this scripture. God is the great King who through Christ, has forgiven us of all of our transgressions. It is we who were more sin indebted than we could ever hope to repay. We must then ask ourselves, are we guilty of failing to forgive those who are indebted to us? This is not just a financial consideration.Iin fact, it is hardly about that at all. Do we walk around with ill will harbored against our fellow man and do we remind them, covertly or overtly, whenever we get the chance? Are we holding grudges against others? Are we judging others?
God has said that without extending forgiveness to others, none should be expected from him, Matt 6:14-15. The point is mercy received should lead to mercy offered.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
When one of his disciples asks Jesus about how much and how often forgiveness should be extended, he responds with a parable that relays concepts with which we can all identify. The story is told of a man who was in a greater debt to the king than he could ever hope to repay. Through pleading with his lord, he received forgiveness of his debt and freedom for himself and his family. This same fellow went out and found someone who owed him a relative pittance, beat and berated him and threatened to have him incarcerated.
Beloved, we may hear this story and think, "How awful!" We all maintain a righteous indignation toward an act so filled with ignorance and so bereft of compassion. It is important, however, not to miss ourselves in the picture of this scripture. God is the great King who through Christ, has forgiven us of all of our transgressions. It is we who were more sin indebted than we could ever hope to repay. We must then ask ourselves, are we guilty of failing to forgive those who are indebted to us? This is not just a financial consideration.Iin fact, it is hardly about that at all. Do we walk around with ill will harbored against our fellow man and do we remind them, covertly or overtly, whenever we get the chance? Are we holding grudges against others? Are we judging others?
God has said that without extending forgiveness to others, none should be expected from him, Matt 6:14-15. The point is mercy received should lead to mercy offered.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
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