In Christ, we can actually love one another. In Christ, we can pray for those who persecute us. We can help those whom we don't really like, and we can get along with people we might find really annoying! But all of those things are but surface changes to a deeper reality.
The reality is this: "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). In essence, while we were mired, dead in our sin, totally hating God and neighbour, Christ poured out love like we can hardly comprehend, by suffering and dying on the cross, taking our curse upon his shoulders. He fully paid for all our sins.
This same Jesus, who died for us, gives us new life! And in our new life (last week we looked at how because of Christ's work, we're adopted as God's children), we're able to love like Christ. Not just surface stuff, deep love. What happens is nothing less than a total transformation. We're turned from people who love only themselves, to people who love others.
The way we show love to others is through our attitudes toward other people. We recognise them as God's image bearers. We value them because Christ died for them! We become determined to dig through the surface annoyances, and get to the heart of those we meet. And there we see people of tremendous value and worth! And in serving them, loving them, we receive total joy!
The reality is this: "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). In essence, while we were mired, dead in our sin, totally hating God and neighbour, Christ poured out love like we can hardly comprehend, by suffering and dying on the cross, taking our curse upon his shoulders. He fully paid for all our sins.
This same Jesus, who died for us, gives us new life! And in our new life (last week we looked at how because of Christ's work, we're adopted as God's children), we're able to love like Christ. Not just surface stuff, deep love. What happens is nothing less than a total transformation. We're turned from people who love only themselves, to people who love others.
The way we show love to others is through our attitudes toward other people. We recognise them as God's image bearers. We value them because Christ died for them! We become determined to dig through the surface annoyances, and get to the heart of those we meet. And there we see people of tremendous value and worth! And in serving them, loving them, we receive total joy!
