Please read the above passage first.
See how these Christians love one another, said the early Christian writer Tertullian. Yet, I wonder if the reason we have so many admonitions for the people of the church to show love is precisely because of the difficulty of people in the church to “get it.” Maybe the simplest way to “get it” is short sayings, observations, or insights that make us reflect prayerfully or meditate. It might be well for us not to over explain it. How do our lives match up?
Let mutual love continue. Such love is already there in the heart and in the community. Let it flow in word and deed, no matter how difficult it might be to express it, and no matter how difficult people may be. We put our energy in all the wrong places. The greatest of Christian wisdom and the greatest pastoral concern, is that love will flourish. The mark of true discipleship is love, for love remains the glue that holds the community together.
Show hospitality to strangers. One can so easily take advantage of a stranger. Open your heart to them. You never know what gift from God may lurk behind the stranger.
Remember in prayer and in action those in prison. In doing so, we recall that many people are in various forms of bondage in their lives, whether in prison or not. Participating with them in their bondage may liberate them, and it will certainly bring liberation to us.
Hold marriage in honor. Every society has its own way to invite people to sexual extremes, as if sex were the only thing that mattered. Honoring marriage reminds us that, as important as sex is, it remains one part of a total commitment to another person.
Become content with what you have. Pursue simplicity as a way of life. It will show the trust you have in God. The danger is that obsessing after money will bring insecurity and anxiety. Money is not a helpful idol.
Remember in prayer and in action your leaders. They are one of your connections with past generations of believers and with the Scripture. If you let them, they may tease out of you the best that you can be. Of course, every leader of the church knows that he or she only points to Jesus Christ, the true leader of the community.
Do good to others and share what you have with others. Such actions are the sacrifices that we offer to God. Such actions are what bring pleasure to God.
No comments:
Post a Comment