| Monday Message 03-08-2010 |
We all know difficult people. We have battled with them, complained about them, been in therapy because of them, and sought to ignore them. Whether they know it or not, difficult people can wreak havoc on our emotions and our emotions are often what get us in trouble. They drive us to our most basic survival instinct to react and attack. But what if we interrupt this message for a word from our sponsor. In Romans 12:9-21 Paul offers a rather impressive list of ways we are called to love. He talks about love being genuine and hospitable. He talks about blessing and not cursing, about never returning evil for evil. But the moment we start to read through this list we begin to wonder if Paul himself might be eligible to be included in our list of difficult people. His instructions don't make much sense unless they are linked to what precedes them. In Chapter 11 Paul has spoken about the irrevocable call and blessing that comes from the mercy of God. God is not timid or reactive but strong in love and determined to empower us for love. Therefore since God is driven to bless, we are encouraged, by the mercies of God, “To present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2). |
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Signs of Love
