Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Romans 12:10 KJV
The Context:
Paul's letter to the Romans covers all aspects of human life. It speaks to my foundations, from before I met Christ to the new demands on me as a result of my new life in Christ. Today's extract speaks to the expectation of Christ for me, if indeed I am His child and I bear true allegiance to Him. There is an internal work, as well as an external witness that must accompany my faith in Christ. When I claim Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, his imprint must be evident upon me. How does the world know God if those who claim to know and follow Him do not make Him known? How do men of the world take note of what is missing in their lives if my life as a Christian does not make them wonder?
Paul's letter goes on to address some other important issues, such as humility and service to God and to others. This is very important to the discussion on who we are, what we are and why we are here at this point in time. Today's extract drives me to sit down and critically examine why I am here on earth. What have I been placed here to do? Why am I where I am at this point in time? Why has God placed the people around me in my life for such a time as this? When I know and understand the answers to these questions, I am on the right path to doing exactly what today's extract talks about. I won't need to be in competition with anyone, or fight for relevance with anyone; I just focus on doing my best in the place God has planted me, making sure God is celebrated in and through me.
The Message:
When the reason for my existence is known, impact is non-negotiable. When I know that I am not going to be judged by man's constantly changing opinions, I am free to pursue excellence God's way. When I know I am at work for God, man's applause or approval won't mean anything to me. After all, even for Jesus, the crowd shouted 'Hossana in the highest` one day, and within a week, was shouting' Crucify Him'. You can't live and feed on people's opinions; God's view is enough.
And He commands love, His type. Not the version the world celebrates and falsely claims as the genuine thing. Jesus' example to us is one of love, even when the objects of the love did not really deserve it. He gave His all: His life, and that love we have received encourages us to show off that same love to others. How would the world know I am different if I do things the way the world already likes it? And at the seat of this kind of love is the kind of heart that sees others in the light of the One who first loved me. Just as Jesus placed my interests over and above his own comfort at the time, He demands I do the same too.
The Response:
This is a call to the unusual, the abnormal and the unexpected. The world has seen a lot of normal; it is time for children of God to make known the miraculous. Love, God's version, is the language the world cannot speak but it responds to. Honouring other people is hard for those who are not yet submitted to God but must be a way of life for those who have. Can I take a back seat and allow other people get ahead of me for some benefits? And God is so amazing that as I deal this way with other people, He will raise up people who will do the same for me. If I take care of God's business in God's way, I get the blessings God intends.
I cannot operate outside of people; after all, I am placed among people so that my life can be a message. If I find myself drifting away from people, that is a danger sign. The devil knows that if he can keep me away from healthy relationships, he can keep me depressed and distracted. I must make every interaction count; I must seek to make Jesus known every opportunity I get. The world needs to know that I am different because I have had a personal experience of the love of God which I cannot keep to myself. As I live, I make God known. May I not be a liability to the love of God. His time of favour is here.
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