Love Does No Harm

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

                                                                       (1 Cor 13:1-7 KJV)

The New International Version and the New King James Version of the Bible both translate charity as love.  Love is charitable because it puts the other's needs before our own desires. It will reconcile us when things might otherwise divide us. Real love does no harm to others as it considers not just what the consequences for oneself might be; but, what the consequences of our words or actions might be upon others. Love and charity care about others. 

When Jesus hung on that cross for us he did it out of love for us. He knowingly and willingly suffered and died so that we might live in the presence of God for all of eternity. He bore our sins on that cross for us and the consequence of that loving act for us is that we are forgiven our sins and reconciled to God our Father. We, who have sinned against God and one another so many times that we cannot count them are forgiven by faith alone in Jesus' life giving sacrifice.

"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19) We love others because he loves us all so much!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Servant Of All

The Last Shall Be First In The Kingdom of God

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35

Who would like to be a servant to everyone? Practically no one would be my guess. Except, of course, those who are actually active in serving others. Those who have sincerely tried it find that serving others can be a most rewarding experience.

We've often heard that it is better to give than to receive. We often tell our children that just before the Christmas season. A gift given that is truly needed and appreciated will lift the giver's spirits as well as the spirits of the one who receives it.

Jesus' words that tell us that if we want to be first we must be last can be hard on the ego. But; if we listen to them, they will, in the end, bring much joy to our spirits. Though the Son of God most high, Jesus was willing to put himself at the very last. He was willing to give everything, even his very life that all people might live reconciled to God and to one another. He was willing to be beaten and hung on that cross so that you and I and all who would believe in him might receive eternal life. What greater gift can one give.

Jesus, was willing to serve us at the cost of his life. He was willing to be last for our sakes. Are we willing to be last in order that others might reap the benefits of our service; that others might come to know the loving gift of life in Jesus Christ, our Lord?

God's Peace - Pr. J.