DEVOTION
GALATIONS
TEAM
Gal 6:2
2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
NIV
From birth I was always taught, maybe not in words but in deeds, to be independent. Maybe even in words as well, when I think back. Stand on your own two feet; do not depend on anyone other than yourself. Other people will always let you down. If you give one of them an inch they will take a mile. Guard yourself, keep them at a distance, if they get to close they will hurt you. I am an island and an island never cries. All of that was deep within me for so many years that when I accept Christ I knew all that had to change and this verse surely speaks directly to that situation. Yet I am not sure I have changed as much as I should. If I am truly open and transparent then it would be easy for someone else to carry my burdens. How can they carry them if they are not able to know what they are? Likewise, I can I carry they burdens if they are not open with me, or I am so self absorbed I am not hearing, seeing or discerning their burden. Maybe I think they are too busy with their own life, they do not have time for me. Maybe they think the same about me. Could it be I simply do not trust them enough to be that open and expose my weaknesses to them? Maybe that is why they are not that open with me, not trusting me enough. How can I carry their burdens if I simply don’t care or love them enough, yet that is the law of Christ? Love your neighbor as yourself would certainly be the key to carrying each other’s burdens. Yet I am not sure how that would look like. If I am carrying their burden and they mine, then we both still have a heavy load to bear. To what advantage does this serve? Maybe the idea of being yoked together with my fellow believers bears dome truth in this idea. As those team of oxen are yoked so as to pull the load equally together, sharing the common load, I and my fellow believers being yoked by the bond of love carry the common load of living a Christian life as a team. It is a team effort, I cannot stand alone, I must be a member of the team, the body of Christ, serving others as they serve me. Am I fulfilling that? Am I a member of the team?
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Restoring
DEVOTION
GALATIONS
RESTORING
Gal 6:1
6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
NIV
I pray I never catch anyone in sin. But then I am assuming I am one of those who would be the spiritual. Yet still I am aware that within the body I think all too often we shoot out wounded rather than heal them. I have witnessed some of my fellow church goers’ exhibit distain and contempt for a brother who was catch in sin. I am glad I did not but in fact did extent a hand to him and be a part of his restoration. This requires a repented spirit on the part of the one catch in sin. The rub here is how much sin goes on without being catch. Why would I hide my sin? Why would I not want to be catch? Is that pride? Is it the need or desire to continue in my sin without having to repent and be stored? What kind of sin is being talked about here? Is this just sensual misconduct or immoral behavior? Or does this include sins like gossip, greed, selfishness, fits of rage, impatience, unkindness, being rude, critical, self righteous, self centeredness, prideful, uncompassionate, and stubborn, just to name a few? Would I be willing to admit to any one these in the company of my fellow believers? Do I trust them enough not to reject me and cast me out, give me the cold shoulder, ignore me and refuse to continue to love me? Oh sure, I always say I am not perfect, that I still fail God, I still have sin to deal with, but I do not announce the individual sins looking for their gentle love and help for I fear that would not be the case. Now I also have to be in that fame of spiritual love toward them and accept who they are and continue to love them in their imperfect state of being. But this being caught thing still troubles me. Unless a member of the body is exposed by some bizarre circumstances, no one is ever caught. Who is ever caught being rude or selfish? Who is ever caught in gossip? I think we just go on or join in. This is so simply yet so complex. God makes it simple, we make it complex. If everyone else is gossiping than is it alright for me to join in? That would not work. Situational ethics is not acceptable within the body of Christ. I must be ever aware to live with love, and to live as close to God as I can. To be open and transparent with my brothers in Christ and be the man God desires me to be, being served and serving, being loved and loving, being restored and restoring.
GALATIONS
RESTORING
Gal 6:1
6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
NIV
I pray I never catch anyone in sin. But then I am assuming I am one of those who would be the spiritual. Yet still I am aware that within the body I think all too often we shoot out wounded rather than heal them. I have witnessed some of my fellow church goers’ exhibit distain and contempt for a brother who was catch in sin. I am glad I did not but in fact did extent a hand to him and be a part of his restoration. This requires a repented spirit on the part of the one catch in sin. The rub here is how much sin goes on without being catch. Why would I hide my sin? Why would I not want to be catch? Is that pride? Is it the need or desire to continue in my sin without having to repent and be stored? What kind of sin is being talked about here? Is this just sensual misconduct or immoral behavior? Or does this include sins like gossip, greed, selfishness, fits of rage, impatience, unkindness, being rude, critical, self righteous, self centeredness, prideful, uncompassionate, and stubborn, just to name a few? Would I be willing to admit to any one these in the company of my fellow believers? Do I trust them enough not to reject me and cast me out, give me the cold shoulder, ignore me and refuse to continue to love me? Oh sure, I always say I am not perfect, that I still fail God, I still have sin to deal with, but I do not announce the individual sins looking for their gentle love and help for I fear that would not be the case. Now I also have to be in that fame of spiritual love toward them and accept who they are and continue to love them in their imperfect state of being. But this being caught thing still troubles me. Unless a member of the body is exposed by some bizarre circumstances, no one is ever caught. Who is ever caught being rude or selfish? Who is ever caught in gossip? I think we just go on or join in. This is so simply yet so complex. God makes it simple, we make it complex. If everyone else is gossiping than is it alright for me to join in? That would not work. Situational ethics is not acceptable within the body of Christ. I must be ever aware to live with love, and to live as close to God as I can. To be open and transparent with my brothers in Christ and be the man God desires me to be, being served and serving, being loved and loving, being restored and restoring.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Marching
DEVOTION
GALATIONS
MARCHING
Gal 5:24-26
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
NIV
When I think of keeping in step I think of those years I spent in the Army. I was in need of not only keeping in step with the cadence that was being called out, but with all the others who were attempting the same feat. So here I am trying to keep in step with the cadence the Spirit calls out alone with all my fellow believers. This has to once again imply the giving up of all selfish ideas whenever another is in need of my time, energy, or resources. I think that would be every moment of my life for when is some else not in need? How can I do that? I would not have any time for caring for my own family, providing for even the basic needs of my own life. Maybe this speaks more to the issue of the normal interactions of living in the body of Christ. That is, not hurting others, in the course of living my own life. I should be the type of person who encourages others, having the qualities of the Spirit, the fruit, so that others may enjoy them when they are near me. Certainly I should not think more of myself then I do of them, that would be conceited and just I fear that alone would provoke them. But then maybe my conceit would only provoke them because of their conceit. Either way I need to be more in step with the Spirit. It is not about them, but about me. I cannot change another person, although I can encourage them, instruct them, preach to them, be an example to them, I cannot make them change, I can only do that in my life. I am then only one I can change and I am then only one who I can make sure is in step with the Spirit. As I endeavor to keep in step I am sure the result of being in community will be in step also. I believe that is the goal of all my fellow believers and thus we will be working together for the same goal, the Kingdom of God. As I keep in step with the Spirit I know his focus, his cadence is directing me toward the Kingdom. If I am hearing his voice I will be in not be conceited, or provoke or envy any other member of the Army of God. I think I have some more practice marching to do.
GALATIONS
MARCHING
Gal 5:24-26
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
NIV
When I think of keeping in step I think of those years I spent in the Army. I was in need of not only keeping in step with the cadence that was being called out, but with all the others who were attempting the same feat. So here I am trying to keep in step with the cadence the Spirit calls out alone with all my fellow believers. This has to once again imply the giving up of all selfish ideas whenever another is in need of my time, energy, or resources. I think that would be every moment of my life for when is some else not in need? How can I do that? I would not have any time for caring for my own family, providing for even the basic needs of my own life. Maybe this speaks more to the issue of the normal interactions of living in the body of Christ. That is, not hurting others, in the course of living my own life. I should be the type of person who encourages others, having the qualities of the Spirit, the fruit, so that others may enjoy them when they are near me. Certainly I should not think more of myself then I do of them, that would be conceited and just I fear that alone would provoke them. But then maybe my conceit would only provoke them because of their conceit. Either way I need to be more in step with the Spirit. It is not about them, but about me. I cannot change another person, although I can encourage them, instruct them, preach to them, be an example to them, I cannot make them change, I can only do that in my life. I am then only one I can change and I am then only one who I can make sure is in step with the Spirit. As I endeavor to keep in step I am sure the result of being in community will be in step also. I believe that is the goal of all my fellow believers and thus we will be working together for the same goal, the Kingdom of God. As I keep in step with the Spirit I know his focus, his cadence is directing me toward the Kingdom. If I am hearing his voice I will be in not be conceited, or provoke or envy any other member of the Army of God. I think I have some more practice marching to do.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Crucified
DEVOTION
GALATIONS
CRUCIFIED
Gal 5:23
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
NIV
It sure does not leave any wiggle room at all for my sinful nature. In fact that nature has to be nailed to a cross and die. What else can be said, except it is dead? If I belong to Christ Jesus there is no other way, and I do belong to him. To crucify the sinful nature requires the extinguishing anything worldly which would have an influence on me and for a longing of anything which is forbidden. That is the meaning of those Greek words translated to passions and desires. So often I think my fellow believers pay much attention to only part the sensual behavior or immoral conduct which is not to be a part of a Christian’s life, but pay little to any attention of the extinguishing of desires for worldly things. I do believe this is also a call to reject the desire for material gain, not the material gain in itself, but the desire for it. I have much gain, but I have to acknowledge God has supplied that gain, not I. Do I look at stuff and think how nice it would be to have? There are times when certain things do draw my attention and I wonder what it would be like to have. But if I have crucified that nature with all its weakness to be influenced and with all its desires or lusts for that which is forbidden, those moments are just that, moments and not a way of life. I do not spend the efforts of my life in pursuit of them. That may well be at the center of this verse. What does influence my efforts, my energies, and my direction of life? What do I long for? Is it the world and all it has to offer, fame, power, success, position, wealth and death or is it Christ and all he has to offer, the incomparable riches of his Glory and eternal life? This just has to be a no brainer. Let’s see death of life. I choose life and life more abundantly. This life I live may not be considered by the world as being ambitious, striving for as much as I can get, but it is my life and I know the outcome of the choice I made. No, I shall not remove my old nature from that cross, it will remain crucified.
GALATIONS
CRUCIFIED
Gal 5:23
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
NIV
It sure does not leave any wiggle room at all for my sinful nature. In fact that nature has to be nailed to a cross and die. What else can be said, except it is dead? If I belong to Christ Jesus there is no other way, and I do belong to him. To crucify the sinful nature requires the extinguishing anything worldly which would have an influence on me and for a longing of anything which is forbidden. That is the meaning of those Greek words translated to passions and desires. So often I think my fellow believers pay much attention to only part the sensual behavior or immoral conduct which is not to be a part of a Christian’s life, but pay little to any attention of the extinguishing of desires for worldly things. I do believe this is also a call to reject the desire for material gain, not the material gain in itself, but the desire for it. I have much gain, but I have to acknowledge God has supplied that gain, not I. Do I look at stuff and think how nice it would be to have? There are times when certain things do draw my attention and I wonder what it would be like to have. But if I have crucified that nature with all its weakness to be influenced and with all its desires or lusts for that which is forbidden, those moments are just that, moments and not a way of life. I do not spend the efforts of my life in pursuit of them. That may well be at the center of this verse. What does influence my efforts, my energies, and my direction of life? What do I long for? Is it the world and all it has to offer, fame, power, success, position, wealth and death or is it Christ and all he has to offer, the incomparable riches of his Glory and eternal life? This just has to be a no brainer. Let’s see death of life. I choose life and life more abundantly. This life I live may not be considered by the world as being ambitious, striving for as much as I can get, but it is my life and I know the outcome of the choice I made. No, I shall not remove my old nature from that cross, it will remain crucified.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Bearing Fruit
DEVOTION
GALATIONS
BEARING FRUIT
Gal 5:22-24
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
NIV
It does all boil down to bearing fruit. The result of walking, living, step by step with the Spirit is the behaviors which are listed here. I am always amazed when I refer to the Greek and explore the definitions of those words. If I am walking with the Spirit I will experience a love feast. I will be prosperous in my spirit and have moral excellence or demeanor. There will be virtue within me. I will have a solid conviction regarding my belief in the Son of God. I will have a true sense of humility and will be able to control my own self. These traits are not something God simply gives, but I must bear them as a tree bears its fruit. They grow on me as a result of my roots being deep into the stream of living waters, and my branches spread out soaking up the rays of the Son. I think one of the great truths which was revealed to me was this fruit which I must bear is not for the benefit of myself but rather for the benefit of others who can come along and pick and enjoy the fruit I bear. This carries with it a tremendous responsibility. If I am to be an active member in the body of Christ I am obligated to grow into a strong mature fruit bearing tree. I need to be a person who as a result of the Spirit dwelling within me exhibits those qualities of character so others may receive the benefit of them. It truly requires me to deny my own self and selfish ambitions. I should even not think that by my bearing this fruit others will think well of me, but rather they should think well of Jesus. This is by far a difficult task. It does require effort on my part. An effort to give in to the Spirit because he is a gentleman and does not force his will upon me and make me bear this fruit. I need to submit to his work within me. I must be the one who sends my roots into the word. I must be the one who spreads out my mind, my spirit and soaks up the truth from God, listening to his still small voice instead of the screaming sounds of the world and of my own self. It is my decision to allow him to bring about change in me. I would think after all these years I would have had all the change which is required and I would have all of the fruit in fullness for others to enjoy. But, alas, I still need more change; I cannot lie to myself and deceive myself of my perfection. But I do thank God for all he has done for me and for all he is doing in me and for those things he does through me, even in my imperfect state. I do need more of the Spirit so I will bear more fruit.
GALATIONS
BEARING FRUIT
Gal 5:22-24
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
NIV
It does all boil down to bearing fruit. The result of walking, living, step by step with the Spirit is the behaviors which are listed here. I am always amazed when I refer to the Greek and explore the definitions of those words. If I am walking with the Spirit I will experience a love feast. I will be prosperous in my spirit and have moral excellence or demeanor. There will be virtue within me. I will have a solid conviction regarding my belief in the Son of God. I will have a true sense of humility and will be able to control my own self. These traits are not something God simply gives, but I must bear them as a tree bears its fruit. They grow on me as a result of my roots being deep into the stream of living waters, and my branches spread out soaking up the rays of the Son. I think one of the great truths which was revealed to me was this fruit which I must bear is not for the benefit of myself but rather for the benefit of others who can come along and pick and enjoy the fruit I bear. This carries with it a tremendous responsibility. If I am to be an active member in the body of Christ I am obligated to grow into a strong mature fruit bearing tree. I need to be a person who as a result of the Spirit dwelling within me exhibits those qualities of character so others may receive the benefit of them. It truly requires me to deny my own self and selfish ambitions. I should even not think that by my bearing this fruit others will think well of me, but rather they should think well of Jesus. This is by far a difficult task. It does require effort on my part. An effort to give in to the Spirit because he is a gentleman and does not force his will upon me and make me bear this fruit. I need to submit to his work within me. I must be the one who sends my roots into the word. I must be the one who spreads out my mind, my spirit and soaks up the truth from God, listening to his still small voice instead of the screaming sounds of the world and of my own self. It is my decision to allow him to bring about change in me. I would think after all these years I would have had all the change which is required and I would have all of the fruit in fullness for others to enjoy. But, alas, I still need more change; I cannot lie to myself and deceive myself of my perfection. But I do thank God for all he has done for me and for all he is doing in me and for those things he does through me, even in my imperfect state. I do need more of the Spirit so I will bear more fruit.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Led
DEVOTION
GALATIONS
LED
Gal 5:16-18
16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
NIV
That certainly sounds easy enough. So then if I gratify just one desire of the sinful nature does that mean I am not living by the Spirit? If I am selfish just once in awhile does that mean I am not living by the Spirit? How can this be? If the Spirit and my sinful nature are in conflict with each other, there is no doubt a war wages on within me. How do I justify my actions and responses, my behavior when it is conflict with the Spirit? I cannot. The Spirit desires I live in one way and my sinful nature desires I live another way. I think the key here is I do desire to live by the Spirit rather than by my sinful nature. I used to simply not even be aware there was a Spirit and thus lived to the fullest by my sinful nature. But since I became aware of God and experienced him in my life and accepted Christ as my Savior and received the gift of the Spirit who dwells within and leads me in paths of righteousness I no longer live to the fullest of my sinful nature. Now do I still sin? I have to yes to that, I cannot lie to God or to my own self. I cannot deceive myself into believing I have become a perfect man because I desire to be led by the Spirit rather than by my sinful nature. So then I have to accept the portion of scripture which states I do not do what I want to do. I do not live a perfect life. I cannot live a perfect life. I want to but it simply is not going to happen. I make too many mistakes, too many incorrect choices, too many wrong responses, too many erroneous acts of behavior to be perfect. But it that because I desire to do and be like that? If I truly desired not to how can I still? I am human and I even though I should not make that my excuse; I simply have to accept I am not divine. But because I do desire to be led by the Spirit and I do desire to live by the Spirit, the path I decided to follow was the one laid out by the Spirit, not by my own sinful nature, I am not condemned by the law. Even when I fail to live according to the Spirit, because of Christ I am not condemned by the law. I surely should not take advantage of that, and I do not think I do, willingly seeking to gratify the desires of my sinful nature. But when I do, I still and not under the law, because I am led by the Spirit. It is sort of confusing, but that could be the plans of the Devil to try to make it that way so I will feel the guilt and shame and lose heart in my desires to follow the Spirit. The devil wants nothing more than for me to follow my own sinful nature. I refuse, I will be lead by the Spirit.
GALATIONS
LED
Gal 5:16-18
16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
NIV
That certainly sounds easy enough. So then if I gratify just one desire of the sinful nature does that mean I am not living by the Spirit? If I am selfish just once in awhile does that mean I am not living by the Spirit? How can this be? If the Spirit and my sinful nature are in conflict with each other, there is no doubt a war wages on within me. How do I justify my actions and responses, my behavior when it is conflict with the Spirit? I cannot. The Spirit desires I live in one way and my sinful nature desires I live another way. I think the key here is I do desire to live by the Spirit rather than by my sinful nature. I used to simply not even be aware there was a Spirit and thus lived to the fullest by my sinful nature. But since I became aware of God and experienced him in my life and accepted Christ as my Savior and received the gift of the Spirit who dwells within and leads me in paths of righteousness I no longer live to the fullest of my sinful nature. Now do I still sin? I have to yes to that, I cannot lie to God or to my own self. I cannot deceive myself into believing I have become a perfect man because I desire to be led by the Spirit rather than by my sinful nature. So then I have to accept the portion of scripture which states I do not do what I want to do. I do not live a perfect life. I cannot live a perfect life. I want to but it simply is not going to happen. I make too many mistakes, too many incorrect choices, too many wrong responses, too many erroneous acts of behavior to be perfect. But it that because I desire to do and be like that? If I truly desired not to how can I still? I am human and I even though I should not make that my excuse; I simply have to accept I am not divine. But because I do desire to be led by the Spirit and I do desire to live by the Spirit, the path I decided to follow was the one laid out by the Spirit, not by my own sinful nature, I am not condemned by the law. Even when I fail to live according to the Spirit, because of Christ I am not condemned by the law. I surely should not take advantage of that, and I do not think I do, willingly seeking to gratify the desires of my sinful nature. But when I do, I still and not under the law, because I am led by the Spirit. It is sort of confusing, but that could be the plans of the Devil to try to make it that way so I will feel the guilt and shame and lose heart in my desires to follow the Spirit. The devil wants nothing more than for me to follow my own sinful nature. I refuse, I will be lead by the Spirit.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Loving
DEVOTION
GALATIONS
LOVING
Gal 5:14-15
14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
NIV
I have to wonder if I have been guilty of not loving my neighbor as myself. If I am guilty of not loving my neighbor as myself, would be a better way of saying it, I suppose. I think the first thing I have to come to terms with is if I love myself. How could I possibly love anyone if I did not love my own self first according to this? So do I love my own self? Is there anything that would prevent me from loving me? Or is this a futile exercise in asking these questions? God already knows how much I love myself as well as how much everyone else loves themselves. Who would not love their own self? Would I do anything to cause harm to my own being? Would I jump from a tall building to see if I survive? Of course not! Would I hurt my own feeling? Not a chance! Would I be rude to myself? Would I be angry with my own self? Would I demand others have their way before me? Not likely. Would I be impatient with myself? I don’t think so. Would I envy myself? How could I do that? Would I keep a record of all my wrongs? That would really be bazaar! Yet am I proud of myself? I really don’t think I have anything to be proud of but I just might have pride. I think what the point here is, I love me. In all my imperfections, with all my failures and idiosyncrasies I still love me. I simply would not under any circumstances do any harm to myself in any way for any purpose willing. I would put myself in harm’s way for others, if I was called upon, but I would not do it for me. I love me too much to hurt myself. I do have to wonder if when I fail God, when I do something defined as sin, am I hurting myself and if I love me, then why would I do that? That is a question for another time. I need to deal with the rest of this. If I love me as much as I think I do, then why do I have such a difficult time with loving everyone else as the same as I do me? It is easy to say “I love you” but it is a different thing to actually love, especially when it is defined so well in 1 Corinthians 13. But that is the point, I do love me and I must love others in the same manner. I need to love all others, not just the ones who are easy to love, but the ones who are difficult to love. I have to be able to love those who may not love me as much as they love their own self as well. Jesus is the model of love. He gave himself up for me; he died to save me from the worst end conceivable. My feelings and my actions toward others should be the same. I should do nothing to cause any harm to anyone in any way or for any purpose under any circumstances. I think, in fact, my feelings and actions should not just be ‘not to cause harm’ but to cause benefit to others. That is my goal. I shall try my best with the help of the Spirit to love God, love self and love others.
GALATIONS
LOVING
Gal 5:14-15
14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
NIV
I have to wonder if I have been guilty of not loving my neighbor as myself. If I am guilty of not loving my neighbor as myself, would be a better way of saying it, I suppose. I think the first thing I have to come to terms with is if I love myself. How could I possibly love anyone if I did not love my own self first according to this? So do I love my own self? Is there anything that would prevent me from loving me? Or is this a futile exercise in asking these questions? God already knows how much I love myself as well as how much everyone else loves themselves. Who would not love their own self? Would I do anything to cause harm to my own being? Would I jump from a tall building to see if I survive? Of course not! Would I hurt my own feeling? Not a chance! Would I be rude to myself? Would I be angry with my own self? Would I demand others have their way before me? Not likely. Would I be impatient with myself? I don’t think so. Would I envy myself? How could I do that? Would I keep a record of all my wrongs? That would really be bazaar! Yet am I proud of myself? I really don’t think I have anything to be proud of but I just might have pride. I think what the point here is, I love me. In all my imperfections, with all my failures and idiosyncrasies I still love me. I simply would not under any circumstances do any harm to myself in any way for any purpose willing. I would put myself in harm’s way for others, if I was called upon, but I would not do it for me. I love me too much to hurt myself. I do have to wonder if when I fail God, when I do something defined as sin, am I hurting myself and if I love me, then why would I do that? That is a question for another time. I need to deal with the rest of this. If I love me as much as I think I do, then why do I have such a difficult time with loving everyone else as the same as I do me? It is easy to say “I love you” but it is a different thing to actually love, especially when it is defined so well in 1 Corinthians 13. But that is the point, I do love me and I must love others in the same manner. I need to love all others, not just the ones who are easy to love, but the ones who are difficult to love. I have to be able to love those who may not love me as much as they love their own self as well. Jesus is the model of love. He gave himself up for me; he died to save me from the worst end conceivable. My feelings and my actions toward others should be the same. I should do nothing to cause any harm to anyone in any way or for any purpose under any circumstances. I think, in fact, my feelings and actions should not just be ‘not to cause harm’ but to cause benefit to others. That is my goal. I shall try my best with the help of the Spirit to love God, love self and love others.
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