Love One Another Series

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

From that verse how many pop-ins did Jesus do on David to check how he was doing? According to that Scripture, none. He was with him the whole time. We certainly cannot be at all places at all times, but we know how to walk with somebody through their hurts. We have had a couple examples in our own church. Willie Rawls could not be with Jerry K all the time at the nursing home but none of us would say that he didn't walk with Jerry K through her illness. He was there for her. And I am going to brag on Obie because he was there for both of them. Many times, giving Willie a ride early in the morning to the nursing home.

Then there is the story of Jarius, a local synagogue official, whose daughter was sick at home. He pleaded with Jesus to come heal his daughter and Jesus traveled step by step with Jarius to his home. Jesus walked with that man in his pain. If he wanted to do the socially acceptable thing, He could have told the man go on home, I will be there after a while. Jesus demonstrated putting on love, He walked with the man through his hurt.

The church has way too many pop-ins and not enough walking with someone through their hurts. We talk a mean game about being there for people but aren’t.

• Social niceness causes me to offer a helping hand, hoping you never called upon me; putting on love finds a way to actually get in there and meet that other person’s need.

Let me read again Ephesians 5:1 and parts of verse 2. Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice.

Let’s say that Bert has to move some heavy stuff down at his farm in Kentwood. Assuming that he is not shy, he ask for help, he comes up to the front of the church and says: I really can use about five or six men to come over next Saturday for a couple of hours to help move some equipment out of the field into the barn. Can I see a show of hands who can help? Eight or nine hands go up. There, we just witnessed social niceness. But on the way out several of the guys say to Bert give me a call if you need me. What did they just do? They walked back your social kindness and as they got into their cars, I imagine them saying to their wife, I hope he does not call me. In front of the church crowd you looked good hand high in the air. But that is not putting on love.

Putting on love, demands you sacrifice. You hoped Bert didn’t call because you had things you could be doing rather than helping Bert. But putting on love means I drop what I want and help a brother with a need. I find a way to sacrifice and do what he needs.

Jesus, the Bible says went to the Father and said let this cup pass but not my will, but your will and He made the sacrifice.

Putting on Love requires sacrifice. However, the church has too many offers of sacrifice but no follow through. That is social niceness. We talk a mean game about doing for one another, but don’t.