Living as Children of God
1 John 3:10-11 (NIV)
10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.
11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
Growing up, our kids have been homeschooled. Their brothers are more than just their brothers. They are their classmates. Their best friends. I have refereed countless disagreements and altercations. But my kids always knew one thing. They were not to hit each other. I tried to impress on them that they are brothers. That we are a family, and as such we should always be in each other’s corner. We should defend each other. Rejoice with each other. Take each other’s side.
In some ways, it was an easy point to drive home. We were always together, thus, staying mad was not really an option if they wanted to have any fun! Father God has similar rules for His children as well. In this verse He spells it out plainly- if we do not love our brother or sister…w are not God’s child. Oh, snap! That hurts!!! If we are going to be alright in the sight of our Father, we have to guard our sibling relationships.
Sometimes the lines within the family of God are not as clearly defined. Some brothers and sisters we will never meet. Others, we have limited contact. We didn’t grow up together. We have different ideas. Different ways of coping, communicating and interacting. But the rules remain firm. Love each other!
Lately, the Lord has been impressing on my heart and mind, that this kind of love is only available if we stay close to Him, the Source of all love. Some hurts can only be overcome in His grace. Some offenses are only lessened as he soothes our wounds, with the Balm of Gilead that only He can apply. Sometimes the only way we can love, is to open our heart to allow Him to love through us.
You see, He know each one of His children. And He gets them. He knows what makes them tick and what reduces them to tears. He loves them. Thoroughly. He delights in them. Just as He delights in you. Sometimes, that is a bitter bill to swallow. But swallow it, we must, if we are to renew our minds and adopt His attitude.
Does loving them mean they will be my favorite? Does it mean that I take abuse from them? Does it require mushy, gushy feelings for them? If not, then what is the minimal requirements of love?
According to I Corinthians Chapter 13,
Love:
- is patient and kind
- is not envious, boastful or rude
- does not seek its own way, it is not irritable or resentful
- it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rather in truth
- it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things
- it never ends
Wow. So in anger, I do not have the right to say or act in a rude or hateful manner. I do not get to giggle when my brother or sister “gets theirs.” It bears all things. It does not stop. It is kind. Sweet. Gentle. Tender. It does not mean I get my way. Or maybe even an apology.
My brother or sister may not deserve my forgiveness, love or devotion- in the natural. I may not earn theirs, either. But Christ certainly deserves anything He wants to ask of me. He died for me. He took my penalty. He paid the price for my life. In return, I gave Him my heart, my allegiance. When my flesh wants to yell, “Yes, but…” My spirit answers with a resounding, “Yes, Lord….”
Yes, I will be kind. Yes, I will be polite. Yes, I will pray that my brother and sister be blessed and favored.
Not necessarily because we are close. But because they belong to my Father! And I am wild about my Father!
Lately, it has been open season on Christians. Our brothers and sisters in the Lord are laying down their lives, side by side, on the sandy beaches of Christian holocaust. Their priorities are crystal clear. The spirit of antichrist longs to destroy the church. Child of God, we must not be his instrument of evil! No matter what. The gates of hell shall not prevail against the church! We must come together. We must unite in love and prayer. Does it really matter that Sis. Sue cooked your famous casserole for the church dinner? In view of eternity, does it matter that the your child did not get the lead in the Easter play? Or that the carpet clashes with the paint in the church foyer?
Love one another. Just love. We are one body. United under one head. The blood of our Savior flows over and through us all. That is love!
Dear Lord, you know. You see. You know the areas where I excel in loving, as well as the areas that I fall flat on my face. Forgive me, Lord. Forgive me for disobedience. For the times that I am prideful and feel I deserve to maintain a rotten attitude. Please forgive me! I am yours. Love through me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!
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Wow! Sherri, I love the analogy you used of your children. It made this post simple and profound at the same time. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should love each other… the end! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Bernadine! Preaching to myself! ; )
Powerful message, Sherri. I agree, at times I feel like I ‘deserve’ to lash out, but I know that God wants me to shut up and let Him deal with the particular situation. May I follow His lead to love the unlovable.