Putting others first

Romans 15:2-7

“Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

What a wonderful teaching, putting others before self, but is it being taught in the homes of those who go by the title of Christian?   Are you living it out, yes I mean are you modeling it for your children, so that it is taking root in their actions and speech?  Do you recall the scribes asking Jesus “Which commandment is the most important of all?”  And this was Jesus’ reply “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

In Mark 12:29, it is stated by Jesus, “The most important is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”  You and I could easily put the title Christian, or Christ followers in the place of Israel and understand this is very serious, it is of the utmost importance, and should be first in our hearts and actions.  Now let me be quick to state the desire of my heart is to do so, but I’ve fallen so short in both the first and the second commandment. 

Because relationships happen and love grows when we spend time with the Source, it happened while you were dating your mate and the more time you spent the more you grew to understand and care for them, the same is true of your relationship with Jesus.  Your mate I bet is on your speed dial, and many of your neighbors also if you are serious about these two most important commands, and that brings up the question is Jesus on your speed dial?

Do you awake and talk with Jesus, are you spending time reading His love letter to you, are you asking Him to help you love that neighbor that has no understanding of faith and may even belittle you for being a follower of Christ?  If so, you are an ambassador of Christ, and we need you to encourage all of us who seem to forget we are the body of Christ, we are not Baptist or Catholic we are in the same army, and we are reminded in Colossians 1:27, “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice