1 Timothy 1:5-7
The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
As Greg and I sat down to watch the final two hours of the History Channel mini-series The Bible, he jokingly said, “We know how it ends.” And as true as that statement is, I think we both came away from this movie with a renewed perspective on our life in Christ. The suffering of Jesus was almost unbearable to watch…even though we both knew we were merely watching a movie. The raw emotions of the disciples, Jesus’ mother Mary, John and Mary Magdalene - and even Jesus himself - were so compelling. The depiction of the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples was breathtaking. And through it all, one pervading theme shone…”Love one another."
In Romans 13:8-10, we read…”Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.’ These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.”
If we truly believe the words in this scripture passage…if we are genuinely committed to following Jesus, and we fully grasp the unbelievable price He paid for our sins and entrance into heaven…then we have to take a hard look at how we are treating one another. Do we gossip? Do we present a “my-way-or-the-highway” view of our faith? Do we belittle those who disagree with us or differ from us in some manner? Are we quick to judge…and slow to offer a hand up or a handout? Have we become so smug in our own narrow view of Jesus and His message that we have totally missed the whole point?
A Facebook friend recently shared the observations of a writer who had grown up in an affluent household in a northern state. He was appalled to discover that there were actually people in America who had never eaten at a sit-down restaurant and ordered from a menu. He could not comprehend that there were socio-economic classes inf this country’s population that did not possess two forms of ID – or have a bank account. A stint in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina served to open his eyes to an entire segment of the public that was truly oppressed…one that he never knew existed prior to this disastrous event.
I wonder how many of us wear similar “blinders”…by virtue of our upbringing – or by choice? Do we prefer to ignore those in need…to look the other way…to pretend that as long as everything is hunky-dory in our little corner of the world, it must be so for everyone else? Or do we seek to operate from a pure heart, a clear conscience, a genuine faith…and compassionate, unconditional love toward all people? When others look at us, do they see the face of Jesus and feel His warmth, grace and caring? Or do they see a selfish, “teacher of the Law” who is rigid, arrogant, and complacent?
Before His ascension into Heaven, Jesus called upon ordinary men and women to go and do extraordinary things in His name…literally at the risk of life and limb. And they did it…without question. Could you do this? Would you suffer and sacrifice in Jesus’ name to share His love and good news with others? These are tough questions…but they must be addressed. Just how loving and compassionate are you toward even the least of God’s creatures? How do you truly represent Jesus? Isn’t it time you knew?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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