Lessons from Vacation, 2012
July 22, 2012
Job 14:1-5
“Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. Do you fix your eye on such a one? Will you bring him before you for judgment? Who can bring what is pure from the impure? No one! Man’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.”
Job 7:17-18
“What is mankind that you make so much of them, that you give them so much attention, that you examine them every morning and test them every moment?
Psalm 8:3-8
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.”
I am awed by how important we are to God. I am amazed at how much God loves us. We often say God loves us so much He was willing to die for us in our place. He loves us so much He did everything He could do to save us. But He never takes His eyes of us. Job said,
“What is mankind that you make so much of them, that you give them so much attention, that you examine them every morning and test them every moment?
Can you fathom that? Can you understand how much God loves you? At first it is kind of hard to believe. But after awhile we accept it – never fully understanding the implications of that truth – but we grasp it a little bit anyway.
Here’s another amazing fact. God loves the whole world. Did you get that? God loves the WHOLE world! He loves everyone! Do you believe that? Do you understand that?
Here’s a little exercise to help you understand. I want you to think of the most despicable thing you have every done. Then realize that God knows all about it and loves you ANYWAY. If you have confessed it and surrendered it to God – He has forgiven you and sees you as innocent and pure of heart.
That wasn’t so hard was it? Now I want you to do another exercise. I want you to think of the most despicable, hateful, unlikable person in your life. Now say to yourself, “God loves (fill in the blank). God adores (fill in the blank). God has wonderful plans for (fill in the blank).
That person may treat you badly; he may cut you to pieces with his words; he may gossip about you; say all manner of evil things about you – but you need to realize two things- first – God loves them. They are God’s child. Secondly – God commands that you love them, too. Jesus said,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
“And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” 2 John 1:5-6
Are you a child of God? Are you a Christian? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Then people ought to know it by how you love others. It’s not - if you love your friends. Even the world does that. It’s not if you love me. I’m easy to love. I’m a nice guy. The test is how you love the unlovable. I’m not saying you have to like them. But I think God is saying we need to treat our unlovables with kindness and compassion and the fruits of the Spirit.
In my family I have some beautiful people – and not so beautiful. Some are smart – some not so much. Some treat me with love and kindness and are so generous to me. Some don’t. But you know what? I love them all. They are family. Do I want to get in a boat and spend all day fishing with them? Some yes. Some – not so much. But I love them all and express it by praying for them and treating them with kindness.
In relationships, conflicts will arise. Conflicts with spouses, kids and parents, siblings, cousins, and so on. But you deal with it – and go on. Some can’t do that. I have some cousins who have offended each other and won’t speak to each other or go to gatherings if they know that other person is there. We have to get over that. Don’t you know God uses those situations to help us grow in love; in patience; in self-control; in kindness and gentleness. It’s easy to do those things to people we like. But God wants us to be ‘Christlike’ toward all people. That’s what it means to be holy. Don’t claim you are holy or walking in the light if you hate someone. John said,
“Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.”
1John 2:7-11
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
How in the world can we be as perfect as God? Why would He asks this of us? Because it IS possible. We can love as perfectly as God- in our hearts.
Now don’t tell me you do – when you treat people so crappy sometimes. (can I say that?) I need you to understand that the only command Jesus gave is this command to love. And love isn’t love unless it’s expressed.
How do people say you treat them? Some could testify it’s pretty shabby sometimes – couldn’t they. But God wants that you – don’t just talk the talk – but you walk the walk. He wants you to use that unlovable person to grow in grace. He wants you to develop in love and kindness and gentleness and so on – especially when you don’t ‘feel’ like it. We aren’t to follow our ‘feelings’ we are to follow the Spirit. And the Spirit says love. And if you are willing – He will develop the fruits of the Spirit in your life. Salvation is just the beginning. Sanctification is just the beginning. God wants you to grow into a Christlike person. And Christ is love – above all.
You need to know – this is where the rubber meets the road in your spiritual life. This is the mountain before you; this is the barrier that stands in the way of your spiritual progress. This is the thing that hinders God’s blessings in your life. All other things become secondary to your achieving victory over this command of God. The Bible says you are blind- walking in blindness - if you cannot learn to love. And the Bible tells us how to express our love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-6
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Do you see that. If we are walking in love we are patient with people. We are kind to that one who rubs us the wrong way. We don’t brag about how better we are than they. We don’t dishonor them. We don’t humilate them. We don’t insult them. We don’t easily get angered at them and when they offend us – we don’t keep a record of it. Not only that – we protect them. We don’t throw them to the wolves. We choose to trust them. We choose to expect they will do better. And we just keep it up. We persevere; we endure. If someone gives up on the relationship – it won’t be you. You are going to keep trying.
I want to challenge you to be more loving. Husbands and wives; parents and children; family members; church family – Work on this thing of love. Think about those who are on your list – the list of people you don’t care for – and begin by praying for them. Then love them. Choose to love them – not because they deserve it – but because you are living in obedience to Christ. Can you do that this week?
Let’s pray,
Dear Jesus,
You know I can’t stand (so and so). They have wronged me. Help me to forgive them. Help me to love them. I need a miracle to do that. You loved me while I was a sinner. Help me to love so and so even if they are my enemy. Give me the grace to love as you love.
