Walking in 2010 II
1 John 1, Romans 12:1, 2
Today we are back in Romans 12 verses 9 and 10 and we will add 1 John 1:5-7 to our study. The ideas wrapped in these few verses are probably the most pivotal ideas of the church next to Christ and Him crucified. If we can grab a hold of unity, it would truly revolutionize the church.
One must remember verses 1 and 2 to retain the key of the verses that follow. Paul pleads with us to present our bodies a living sacrifice to God and to be conformed to Him not this world. Over the last few decades, the church has tried to walk hand in hand with the world and with God but when one does, they simply become worldly, Matt. 6:24. 1 John also bares this out for we will not be in fellowship if we are not walking in the Light.
Verse 9 tells us to love without dissimilation or hypocrisy. Christ is the ultimate example of true love. This is the very core of Christmas itself. Since Christ came and loved us, now we can love others the same way. Christ gave, now we can give.
Verse 10 tells us to be kindly affectioned one to another in brotherly love and in honor to prefer one another. To have kindly affection means to have tender love. Compassion is not just something we should have when helping others, it should be the very force that drives us to help others.
We are also told to prefer others in honor. This simply means to put others first. This concept rolls off the tongue and has been the central theme for many movies but is very difficult to live out. So, if you want to impact the world for Christ, practice putting others first.