From me to you Part 10: it’s all about love – that’s why we’re here
CONTEXT: ‘Therefore…’
That’s the first word of Romans 12. That word in itself is all about context. You don’t start a document with the word ‘therefore’. ‘Therefore’ here means ‘in the light of all that has gone before, this should be your response’. You can’t just start at the beginning of this passage. You have to have an understanding of what has gone before.
That’s the context.
God’s mercy for all – it’s all about God’s mercy. What’s being asked in Romans 12 is in view of God’s mercy.
EXCERPT: Romans 12
FROM ME TO YOU:
Let’s talk about worship. Worship isn’t a great band, stirring songs, dynamic Bible readings and innovative ways of approaching prayer. Not just that, anyway. Worship is a daily sacrifice. We’re giving ourselves to God – all that we have, all that we are – in response to the freedom He has given us to live life to the full in the way that He intended. There’s a cost to sacrifice. It’s not comfortable. We don’t know what God will ask of us this day or any day when we put all that we have and are at His disposal.
God doesn’t just want our minds and hearts. He wants our bodies too. He wants us to take good care of our bodies – that’s our responsibility – so that we can use our bodies to put love into action in our world.
We all need to be careful not to slip back into doing things the way the world does them, thinking as the world thinks, desiring what the world desires. We have been changed. We are following a new way. This world is skilled at influencing our thinking. Just look at the power of advertising. Let’s not do life like everyone else is doing life. Let’s model a better way.
One of the things that the world pushes our way is constant comparison with others. We look at others and either feel rubbish about ourselves or better about ourselves. We make a value judgement. That’s not what life’s about. We are all equal. Different but equal. We all have different gifts and none of those gifts should be viewed as better than anyone else’s. We’re all here to work together as one body with many different parts.
It all comes down to love in action. I’m coming to see that this is the very reason for our existence – to demonstrate the love of God in relationship with others. I could go into detail about what that looks like, but the list of ways to love goes on and on and on and on. You know what to do. Serve others with an open heart. Be generous and kind and forgiving. To everyone. Regardless of their standing in society. Regardless of what they have done to you.
Make everything all about love.
