"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
Yesterday, we were shown what we shouldn't do as we live for God. Today, we will see the opposite. Here are your action points, and boy, are they good!
"The end of all things is near." This section starts with seven very important words. They are meant to remind us that we do not have all the time in the world...well, technically we do, but that time won't last forever. Oh, how quickly we forget this. We naturally stay focused on the here-and-now, which isn't always bad. But remember that whether you die before Christ comes or you are here to see Him return, you don't have unlimited time to change your behaviors and impact the people around you.
"Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." Because we don't have unlimited time, it's important too remember that every moment counts. We need to be clear minded, which reminds me of what was said yesterday -- not controlled by another substance, but controlled by the Holy Spirit. We simply cannot make wise decisions when we are filled with something other than the Holy Spirit. And how do we make sure of this, it says we must also be self-controlled. Oh man, God is really challenging me in this area right now. Self-control and discipline. Do we not hate those words?! I do. Yet here it is, and this certainly isn't the only time that phrase is mentioned in the Bible. Self-control matters to God. He wants us to control our words, our actions, and yes, even what we put into our bodies. But why does He care about self-control so much? "So that you can pray," or as the ESV puts it, "for the sake of your prayers." I cannot come easily and vulnerably before Jesus if I am either a) controlled by another substance such as drugs or alcohol, or b) if I am feeling such shame and guilt from the words I just said or the pack of Oreos I just ate all by myself. Will Jesus accept me in that state if I come to Him? Absolutely! But what do we do when we feel shame? We hide. Remember Adam and Eve? So, when we are feeling guilty, will we really want to run to Him first? From my own life, I can say that's not the case. When we are self-controlled and self-disciplined, we have the freedom to come to Him openly and vulnerably and maybe even more regularly.
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." Woah, those are big words there...above all. The most important thing to remember today is that we are to love each other deeply...deeply, not flippantly. Why? Because love covers over a multitude of sins. We recently read this in our study of James, "whoever turns a sinner from the error of his ways will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins" (5:20). Or as The Message puts it, "Love makes up for practically everything." When we are putting someone else first, forgiving them (again and again), caring for their needs, the past can be covered over. If you have really hurt someone in the past, loving them this way is how to work on mending the relationship. If people have been hurt by the Church in the past, loving them now can cover that. It doesn't mean we can never remember what happened...it's not erased...but it can be covered over so that what it on top, what is seen, is love. And remember God is Love.
"Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." Hmm...it's easy for me to offer hospitality to guests in my home whom I am trying to impress. But what about offering hospitality to my family? When I think of hospitality, I always think of warm food and clean towels and sheets. But it's more than that! Hospitality is defined as "the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way." How do you treat guests in your home -- those you like and those you don't? What about strangers on the street, the check-out girl at the grocery, your next door neighbors, your co-workers? Hospitality is not defined to dinner parties at our kitchen tables or offering your spare bedroom to the in-laws. It is much more than that. It is a lifestyle. And the kicker...to do this without grumbling. Ouch.
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." Do you know what stuck out to me here? One word: gift. It's not gifts (plural). I think these days, we want to be good at everything! Just look at all the programs and camps and practices kids are going to this summer. But God doesn't expect us to bog down our lives like that. He has blessed everyone with one gift. That's not to say that maybe some people that more than one? But the majority of us might just have one. And that is a gift in and of itself because it allows us to focus on that one gift and not hang ourselves out to dry because of busy-ness! We are certainly required to use that gift though -- don't let it go to waste. And on the days that you don't feel like serving in that way, "do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ."
"To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." That's Who it's all about anyway. That's why we do what we do, why this blog even exists, and why we are trying to become better people -- is because we are following Jesus Christ and it's ALL about Him. He deserves the glory and praise for anything good that comes from us. He is the one with all the power in this world. For ever and ever! Wow. I'm going to have to agree with Peter here, "Amen."
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