We Have a Right!

“Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourself.”  Romans 12:10

From Guest Blogger Kathleen Lane:

“I demand my rights!” “Don’t shove me around!” “I’m not going to let anyone step all over me!” Have you heard comments like that?  It is the common way of the world to be concerned with our own rights. Even within the church power struggles can arise as each person focuses on what he/she considers his/her own rights and privileges, without regard for the rights and concerns of others.

But God has called us to a transformed, uncommon way of life. Instead of being concerned with “number 1,” we are called to be devoted to one another and to put others first. That means, in Christ, my rights take a back seat to the rights, desires, and concerns of others.

The Greek word translated “be devoted” in this passage, refers to a special kind of love, the kind of “tender affection” members of a family have for one another.  Christians are called to love one another — to honor one another — because we are members of one family.

We are all members of God’s family because of Christ’s devotion to us. He gave up His place and power so that we could have a place in the family. He humbled Himself to be born of a woman, born under the law to redeem us that we might receive the full rights of sons and daughters (Galatians 4:4-5). There was no power struggle — only humility and devoted love.

Having rights as God’s sons and daughters, being loved by Him, transforms us to humbly devote ourselves to others and to honor them. We can look at the person beside us with the eyes of God seeing her as someone worth our love and honor, simply because she is placed there by God. In God’s family, we have the right and privilege to serve others and to give, rather than receive, honor and recognition.

Reflect on the “rights” you have as God’s child.

How can you humbly honor others in your family?  In your workplace?  In your neighborhood?  In your church?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have honored us above Yourself. Though we are not worthy, You have given us full rights as God’s children. Lead us to use those rights in loving and honoring others. Amen.


#Uncommon

The Real Thing

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Romans 12:9

From Guest Blogger Kathleen Lane:

Is it real?  Or is it fake?  Is it authentic?  Or is it counterfeit? These are important questions when shopping. We wouldn’t want to get scammed into spending thousands of dollars on a fake diamond ring. Whether we’re buying jewels, designer clothes, art, or our favorite NFL jersey … we are putting out big money, and we want to be sure that we are getting the real thing.

Authenticity is important as we make decisions about spending money. Authenticity is also important when it comes to love.

Romans 12:9 tells us “Love must be sincere.” In other words, love is to be real and honest. What is the difference between real love and fake love? First,  it has to do with the source of love and its motivation. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God … God is love.” (1 John 4:7ff) Real love comes from God. God’s love has no reason. It just is,  because that is the way God is. God loves us unconditionally; and He calls us to love in the same “no strings attached,” uncommon  way.

Fake love has some ulterior or selfish motivation. We pretend to love because we think there is something to be gained for ourselves. Fake love says, “I love you if …” or “I love you because …” or “I’ll love you when you …”

The other  difference between real love and fake love is actions. Real  love demonstrates itself by doing, by actively and sacrificially helping others. The apostle John expressed it this way: “Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18). God’s love for us is active as He provides for, protects, and empowers us.  His love is shown best in sacrificing the very life of His Son so that we could be redeemed to belong to Him forever. His very real love is what is at work in us, transforming us to be real in loving others.

How have you experienced the real love of God? How has your love for others been real and active? As you’re motivated by God’s sincere love for you, what needs to change? What specific things can you do to better reflect that love for others?

Prayer: Lord, let Your sincere love be at work in my heart.  Lead me in reflecting that real love to others. Amen.


#Uncommon

In View of God's Mercy

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices …  Romans 12:1
 

 

Don’t miss this!! Paul is about to say something extremely important. Romans 12, verses 1 and 2 are pivotal. My church in Appleton, WI is just beginning a 40-week spiritual journey, called "Uncommon," and verse 2 gives us the title for the first part of our journey: “Unconformed.” Do not miss Romans 12:1-2!

 

Most importantly, don’t miss the word “therefore.” I know, it doesn’t seem like a significant word. But it really is key. “Therefore” makes you ask: “What’s the ‘therefore’ there for?” And in this key verse it is there to indicate this: when Paul calls all Christians to “offer your bodies as living sacrifices,” we have to understand that that does not happen apart from everything Paul has just said in eleven preceding chapters of Romans! You can read the whole thing (especially Romans 3:23-24 and Romans 6:23!); but for the sake of brevity, just understand that it is all summed up in one critical phrase: “God’s mercy” (Romans 12:1).

 

“Mercy” is “not getting what we deserve.” If I get caught speeding yet the officer chooses to let me go with no consequence, that’s mercy. With God, we deserve death and eternal condemnation (Rom. 6:23). Yet God chose to release us from that fate by taking our punishment on Himself — making Jesus Christ a sacrifice in our place (Rom. 3:24-25).

 

Paul understood that if we are going to live an uncommon life, unconformed to the pattern of this world, that is only possible “in view of God’s mercy.” Here’s the point: it all starts with God. As in the beginning, when there was nothing and God created, nothing we do happens apart from God. (see John 15:5; 2 Cor. 5:14)

 

Here is the second critical piece: because God has given us life when we deserve death, we owe God everything we have. Paul says, “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices.” That means going ‘all-in,’ holding nothing back. You can’t just give a little time or a little money or a little lip-service and call that good. Offer your “bodies,” he says — that means your whole self: your body, your thoughts, your passions, your present and future — everything! Let God use you for His purposes. Paul goes on to say: this is your worship. Not the songs you sing at church; giving your whole life for His work is your act of worship. Give it all to Him today!

 

Prayer: Father, I don’t deserve anything You give me. In view of Your mercy, lead me to give You all that I am, as an act of worship. Amen.