September 8 Love Like Jesus John 13:34
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34)
Setting standards and establishing acceptable behaviors can be challenging to parents. From the time that Kayla was old enough to understand, we have taught her to be aware of her surroundings and to know who, is around her, always. It happened that one day, Annette had bent down to pull a pot from the cabinet and Kayla, at the same time, had pulled the drawer out; that just happened to be above where Annette was bent down to retrieve the pot. Annette stood up and banged her head on the drawer that was still pulled out. Annette shouted, “Kayla, REALLY!” Kayla’s response was priceless, “Mama, Daddy says that you need to be aware of your surroundings and know what is going on around you, at all times!” Obviously, Annette was still challenged, yet she affirmed Daddy’s words and moved on. Annette and I, both, resisted the urge to say, “Do what I say, not what I do!” There were times that it would have been so appropriate, however, it wasn’t right when I heard it, as a youth, and it is not right today! Mama had a standard that she lived by, and she expected me to follow her example. My dear Mother was committed to treating others the way that she expected to be treated. That is exactly what Jesus did! His motto was, “Do as I say AND as I do!” In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, the Apostle Paul spoke of unconditional love, and I recognize these words as a description of the way that Jesus loves us! “Love is patient, Love is Kind. It does not Envy, it does not Boast, it is not Proud. It does not Dishonor others, it is not Self-seeking, it is not easily Angered, it keeps no record of Wrongs. Love does not Delight in Evil; but Rejoices in the Truth. It Always Protects, Always Trust, Always Hopes, Always Perseveres. Love Never Fails. But where there are Prophecies, they will cease; where there are Tongues, they will be Stilled; where there is Knowledge, it will pass away.” Think about this: If we are to be “Christ-Like,” and, if we are to “Reflect the Love of Jesus,” then we must do as HE SAYS, AND WHAT HE DID!! I wonder what our human relationships would be if we were to be patient with others, and not judge others, and if we were less prideful and stubborn and were forgiving of others. Paul is telling us to, “LOVE LIKE JESUS!” Are we living by this standard? Are we demonstrating the Love of Christ, to our fellow travelers, through this journey of life? When we are all about growing in our relationship with Jesus, then, we will, naturally, increase our capacity to LOVE OTHERS! When we are confronted with a challenging “Love-Challenge,” what are we to do? In every challenge and in every opportunity, I ask myself, “What would Mama do?” Immediately, I shift gears and go to the eternal solution, for all the “Ills” of humanity… “WHAT WOULD JESUS DO AND HOW WOULD HE LOVE, IN THE SITUATION?” Folks, this is not a suggestion, for the believer! This is a COMMANDMENT!! “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!