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- Oct 26, 2007
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- 12,539
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
Jesus wants you to be a nice Christian neighbor, right? While "loving Christian" is essential, "nice" definitely isn't a big enough word for what the Lord has in mind.
The closest you get to the word "nice" in the Gospels? Away from the crowds, when confronted by the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus rails against their hypocrisies. The climax? He scorches them by saying, "You nicely set aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition" (Mark 7:9 NASB 1977). Major Burn!
Jesus, of course, is never a hypocrite. One of the staggering implications? He loves every man He meets--even His fiercest critics. To Jesus the master conversationalist, relationship and meaning triumph over social norms…every time. He interrupts, He puzzles, He changes the subject. He provokes. He monologues. It's all fair game toward His overriding mission: to shake each man to the core of his being; to inflict many a sleepless night; to haunt him with statements he never wanted to hear; and, ultimately, to win his heart.
Yes, it's possible to be too nice…and still fail to love others. So, love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. And, love your neighbor well.
Prayer: Lord, give me Your love for every person I meet.
Jesus wants you to be a nice Christian neighbor, right? While "loving Christian" is essential, "nice" definitely isn't a big enough word for what the Lord has in mind.
The closest you get to the word "nice" in the Gospels? Away from the crowds, when confronted by the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus rails against their hypocrisies. The climax? He scorches them by saying, "You nicely set aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition" (Mark 7:9 NASB 1977). Major Burn!
Jesus, of course, is never a hypocrite. One of the staggering implications? He loves every man He meets--even His fiercest critics. To Jesus the master conversationalist, relationship and meaning triumph over social norms…every time. He interrupts, He puzzles, He changes the subject. He provokes. He monologues. It's all fair game toward His overriding mission: to shake each man to the core of his being; to inflict many a sleepless night; to haunt him with statements he never wanted to hear; and, ultimately, to win his heart.
Yes, it's possible to be too nice…and still fail to love others. So, love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. And, love your neighbor well.
Prayer: Lord, give me Your love for every person I meet.
