Love One Another

Selfishness is a my gift. In fact, it's a natural ability. No one had to teach me to ignore the money cup that collects for children in Africa or to ignore the person sitting by themselves. I do it with ease sometimes too. I am that good!

I...

sound a little ridiculous, don't I?
Who would want to be friends with me if I actually thought that way? Well in fact, I technically do. It's in my human nature. I know what selfishness is, I just ignore that I am doing it sometimes, and that's when the spirit of conviction comes upon my heart. Why am I not helping my brothers and sisters out? Why am I in my comfort zone when there are areas where others need help? Why am I so selfish?

The Bible is a book on the human nature. We are naturally selfish. It's just easy to do. I sure hope my parents didn't teach me, "Regan, ignore that man on the street. He does not matter. He got there his own way, let him get himself out."

I am reminded  of the heart of Jesus when I was reading through a devotional that a friend gave me years ago that I am now just getting around to reading. In 2 Samuel 23:13-17 records when David sent three of his mighty men to fetch him water in an enemy's territory. When they came back, David recognized this, and would not dare drink the water that his friends had risked their lives for. Instead he offered the water as a sacrifice to the Lord. In doing so, I kind of got the impression David is showing honor both to the Lord and his friends, who risked their lives for his favor. How is this like Proverbs 3:3?

"Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart."

When we are willing to become a servant, we bless others and honor the Lord. Jesus said to love each other as ourselves. This implies there should be an equal value of myself to you, and vise versa.

It maybe as small as getting a cup of water for somebody or being a friend in a time of need, but putting ourselves on the same page, and putting God above to guide us in our relationships forms a perfect harmony that this world so tries to get right, but never has seemed to obtained.

Today, I challenge you something. Focus on  what you may do for others. Now here's the thing. Take yourself outside the picture of that a person is relient on your for happiness. That's placing yourself in God's position, and we have no right to be there. What I want to convey is the answer to these questions:

how does my speech help another person?
how do my actions help someone?
what do my brothers and sisters need that I could provide?

Again, we cannot do everything, or anything, for everybody. But what we can do is start off asking how we serve each other because we love each other. Remind each other that God is the ultimate source of what we need. Most importantly, salvation.

Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

This is the message that Jesus ultimately wanted us to understand.