February 8 Love Your Neighbor 1 John 4:7
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)
From my earliest recollections, I have been blessed to have been born into a family of “friendly” people! My parents were involved in the lives of so many, and their influence was felt across all political, social, racial, economic and denominational barriers! I had the privilege to discuss “Ministry” priorities, with a fellow pastor, just a few weeks ago, and as I shared a typical day’s activities with my brother, I realized that, I too, have had the privilege to be involved in the lives of so many people. My dear brother asked how my BTC Church Family felt about my involvement with individuals that are not an official part of the BTC Family, and I shared a truthful reality! Eighteen (18) years ago, during the interview process, to become the pastor of Baptist Tabernacle, I shared my involvement in the greater community and that I had been and would continue to minister to these dear folks. There was a general discussion about priorities, and I shared a fact: I would serve at the pleasure of Baptist Tabernacle Church, but my Calling was from God! Today, I continue to receive calls, requests, need for counseling, notices of troubles and a list of other concerns from folks that are members of other churches within the area. My brother asked, “Why do you do that? Does that take away from your commitment to your flock?” The short answer is NO! It enhances the ministry! Sharing Jesus with whomever, wherever, whenever is the calling for every believer! All that I do, and all that you do, to honor and to walk in obedience begins with one word: LOVE! God Loves Us, WE are to Love Him, and by extension, Love One Another! I will continue to be privileged to minister to anyone that calls on me, and I will continue to share the Good News to whomever will hear! Are you demonstrating HIS Love towards fellow Believers? Are you walking in Obedience as your Life is a Witness of the Good News? Praise God… the CHURCH is not confined to the interior of any one building or structure, it is the “Body of Christ,” the “Redeemed” by His Blood, that comprise the “Church,” so, get busy “loving Your Neighbor,” and demonstrating His Grace, alive and active, within all that you do and say! I look forward to the next opportunity to be involved in my “neighbor’s” journey through this life, and, hopefully, I can, through the Power of the Holy Spirit, make this journey a bit easier to them to travel. What God does with you is up to you! He has paid the price for Salvation! He expects us to LOVE HIM, LOVE OUR FELLOW TRAVELLER, and to LOVE OURSELVES (Not conceited Love, but an appreciation of what God has blessed us with, humbly serving Him by exercising His Example of How to Love)! Stay Strong, Stay Focused … THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
POSTSCRIPT: What has happened to our society? Why have we become so sensitive to everything, especially if it differs from our thoughts and attitudes? Where is the outrage when innocent individuals are killed by folks that are not supposed to be in our country? Where are the protesters when a child is gunned down by a neighbor and it barely receives any press coverage? “Selective outrage” speaks volumes about our attitude, bias, prejudices and our willingness to be a part of the growing trend towards Anti-Common-Sense reactions! Wrong is Wrong, and Right is Right, and inappropriate displays and “poor taste” expressions are wrong, but the sensitivity to inappropriate expressions reveal our own prejudices and our willingness to be a part of the “Worldly” reaction! I recall a phrase that was used when I was a boy: “Careful, He can’t take a joke!” Remember, you don’t have to react to every “stupid” or “Inappropriate” action by others! Every day, I am presented with the opportunity to act or react to comments, gestures and “attacks,” and I have the choice to act or react! I choose to act! I act as if the perpetrator of the attack lacks intelligence or the proper information or the proper training to operate in civil society! How you react to the ongoing trash of life is entirely up to you! (I could be offended by the Anti-Christian attitudes that are growing in this world! I could be offended by the attacks on my culture and my heritage, but I choose to pray for the oppressors and claim the victory through my Savior, Jesus Christ!) Agree – Disagree… Your actions and reactions are entirely up to you, and express your attitude, convictions and your commitment! LOVE is the Answer! My personal opinion has little weight in this world, but the One that I serve, He can Change the World!