"Love your neighbor as yourself."
My folks would always use that line on me. The golden rule (aka the second greatest commandment); what does it mean?
What is the meaning behind the words? To the Christian faith, it means putting the needs of others before your own. That may even be what it means to those outside the faith. It's one thing to understand this though, than it is to put it into action.
James 2 goes into great depth about faith without deeds. "Faith without works is dead." So how do we live out our faith and love others? One great way is to serve. In the same way that service to the Church and to others is a way of serving God, it shows a horizontal love to our immediately and not-so immediately surrounding worlds.
Aside from service, loving others means simply putting them first. This could look like many things: you could have plans until your friend calls you needing some advice and the conversation leaves you missing out. You offer up your brand new jacket to your classmate who can't afford to replace the old raggedy one he has. Your coworker needs a 4am shift covered so that she can make it to class (yeah that one has happened to me more than once). LOVE = SACRIFICE! You give up yourself for the sake of others.
What are some ways that you love those around you? How do you put others first? I'd love to hear your comments!
Til next time!
Ive spent most of my adult life putting the needs of others first. Most always and certainly before my own needs. To the point, Ive gotten the stern lecture from every single family member, most friends, and many others about how my heart is too big, I do too much for others, I need to take care of me. Yet, that doesnt feel right to me. Did Christ take care of His needs, then spare time for everyone else? If God wprried about what He wanted first, then gave us the leftovers, I doubt we would be here. That's not love. Love comes without condition. I am required, commanded, to give until I have nothing left. And if I dont die with my gas tank empty and not a single ounce of me left to give, I doubt I'll die happy. I really challenge people to dig into 1 Corinthians 13 deeply. All of it. Not just a cliche verse here and there.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I've had my seasons of frustration and self failure. Where I tried to be selfish. To make it about me. To take rather than give. And every time, I've ended up miserable and empty.
I do think there has to be something said about how we give though. Matthew 7:6 reminds us not to give that which is holy to dogs or to cast our pearls to swine. Just because someone thinks they have need doesnt necessarily mean they have a need God wants you to fulfill. Ive spent too much time in toxic relationships and friendships because people have taken advantage of that love, that want to care for others and provide for need. If someone takes advantage of it, and abuses it, you have to turn to the word, to prayer, and to trusted family in Christ to help you find what is good need to be cared for and what is toxic.
Dave D.