Let's Have Church

It is time to love one another

Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves. - Romans 12:10 (NCV)

Whenever I think about love, I think about God and how He loves the whole world. Have you ever thought about what God could possibly like about the world we live in? Really think about it. What do we have in this world that God loves? I'll answer you in a bit. 

The greatest love a person can show is to die for his friends. - John 15:13 (NCV)

God loves the world, but not for its physical features. God loves the world because of people. He loves the world because of people that we might hate for no absolute reason. What is it about us that is lovable anyway? Nothing. God loves everything about us in spite of failing in the many ways that we do. We do not have to be perfect to be loved by God. We have a Father that loves us in spite of ourselves. 

Whenever I read in an article about some atrocious crime, I try to judge with the eyes of God. Of course, I fail. In that moment, I always go back to judging poorly. My heart cries out to families, people of different color and race that are subjected to harsh treatment just because of how they look. 

God made us as different as we are for a reason. To have multiple races? No! Race was never an idea of God. God's idea is oneness and unity. Perhaps that's why we do not understand the relationship between the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. The relationship is based on the oneness of the Godhead. Without unity, there is no peace. 

For there are three that bear witness []in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. - 1 John 5:7 (NKJV)

There is oneness in the Godhead. That's the oneness God loves to see in the brethren. We should learn to love people different from us. God's love transcends cultural barriers. Why should you suddenly feel a bit weird or different just because you met a person a little different from you. 

Racial discrimination is not a new thing and it's not ending now. Oh no. What do we do as believers? How do we respond to crimes that are atrocious in their very nature? Do we start riots? Do we hate other races so that we are heard out? 

We cannot operate in carnal ways to fight acts of carnality. You might be wondering. What is he talking about? I am talking about loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. When you think about your brother or sister, your first thought is not one of evil. 

I know there's many times I get into conflicts with my sisters and my relatives and my friends. The difference between one filled with the Holy Spirit and one who is not is love. Love does not harm. Love does not hurt. Before you speak out or do anything, think about it and consider your thoughts. 

The Bible says, "love each other like brothers and sisters."

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 []gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. - Galatians 5:22-24 (NKJV)

The fruit of the spirit is love. Joy. Peace. Long-suffering. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness and self-control. Notice that the bible says, the fruit and not the fruits. All of that is in one fruit. The bible continues to say, "those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions."  Any act that is not of the spirit is carnal. 

I realized that it is actually hard to love somebody. Though, love comes naturally between siblings, it takes quite a bit of time to mature. You can learn to love. It's an everyday thing. You cannot say you won't love today. Imagine if Jesus stopped loving us right now? What would happen to us? Love is not a feeling. Feelings always change. Love is commitment. Let us learn to commit to one another and let love lead. 

Wonderful Savior, we honor you. We love you and we thank you. Teach us how to truly love our neighbors Lord. This we ask in name of Jesus Christ. We pray. Amen.