There is so much to learn from Paul, that I almost want to highlight everything. In times like these, I guess it is best to be still and let God speak to me. I know that sometimes I too, am lazy and do not put in the extra effort to show love to others, to let God's love shine through me, so this is something that I must work towards. There are so many people that I come in contact with, every day, and sometimes I'm so caught up in my own pride that I don't give that lonely person a second glance, or I don't even look in their direction. Sometimes I just feel so awkward, not knowing whether to say hi or not, or to just smile, or maybe to talk. I don't know. In my case, I guess I shouldn't really have that problem because I should be able to empathize with them, but how can I, if I don't do anything about it? How is that going to help anyone, how is that going to reach out to them, and how is God supposed to work through me, to do His perfect and pleasing will through me, if I refuse and give petty excuses? Sometimes I don't want to dig deeper and take that extra step to care for someone because I know or I think I know that it will be a hassle, and that it will take a lot out of me. But that's what love is. Love is helping another person find their way to God. Love is what God wants us to have for one another. Love is something that we should never be tired of, or feel like we don't need to give. Love is God's command for us because He has loved us more than we could ever love Him back, and all He really wants in return, is for us to love Him back, and through this, show our love to everyone else, so that they may also come and enjoy God's love for them. Love is something that we owe to Christ, a debt that can never be paid back, and it should be sincere (v9). It's time to stop being lazy, to really "go, live to feed the hungry, stand beside the broken, be filled up by Christ and sent out" like the song God of this City says.
Romans 12
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Romans 13:8-10
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
As always, a youtube link: http://youtu.be/ZMcJi-GCNgk - Love, Jaeson Ma
http://youtu.be/d61LamkXfwk - God of this City, Chris Tomlin
Romans 12
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Romans 13:8-10
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
As always, a youtube link: http://youtu.be/ZMcJi-GCNgk - Love, Jaeson Ma
http://youtu.be/d61LamkXfwk - God of this City, Chris Tomlin
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