Romans 12:10; NASB
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor I recently attended my nephew and nieces Junior High promotion/graduation. It was a great event, and I was a proud uncle of all they accomplished in their school. As the ceremony went on, it came time to call the names of each student, have them come across the stage and get their certificate. I remember as a parent, being proud of my own daughters, celebrating them. And this was no different. But then, something happened. They called the name of a young man. As he went to step forward, he fell to the ground. And then he just lay there. We weren’t sure if something happened, maybe he had a seizure, who knows. But people stood looking on for a minute. Finally some of the teachers came over to attend to this young man, to make sure he was ok, then help him back onto his feet. Everyone was worried, and then everyone applauded. He walked back to the starting point, and they called out his name again as though nothing had happened. Everyone was there to celebrate this young man. To support him. To make sure he didn’t feel bad about what happened, it was just an accident (turns out he had a walking boot on his foot for an injury and it either got caught on something or he slipped). But everyone in that auditorium felt the panic when he fell and lay there. And everyone felt relieved when he was able to get back on his feet and receive his certificate. Paul writes to the church, “be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” Literally he says, “with the love a parent has for a child, so love one another.” With the love a parent has for their own kids. Parents, how much do you love your kids? When was a time that you had the greatest joy or laughter spending time with your children? Putting their unbelievably amazing artworks and accomplishments on the fridge to display for all to see, and to boast about your amazing little Michelangelo. To mourn with them as they are sad, sitting with them and holding them and affirming that this too shall pass. Or when was a time where you experienced the greatest fear? When was a time you were so concerned about them you couldn’t sleep until you knew they were ok? Because, even though my kids have grown into young adults, it never changes. I remember late one night we received a phone call from our daughter. Fear begins to mount up as you see the name on the phone and you begin to think the worst has happened. People say the best way to wake up is to know you overslept and have lost time. I think it is an unexpected phone call in the middle of the night. Turns out it was just a flat tire, and then my panic turned into grumbling because I had to wake up to fix a flat tire and complain, complain, complain. But at the end of the day, I was relieved because my baby was ok and I would do anything for her to keep it that way. And that is how we are supposed to view one another in our church family - as our own kids. Committed to them, devoted to them, loving them the way a parent loves their own kids. Will there be times of frustration? Sure. Will there be times of worry? Of course. Will there be times when you think back on and smile because it was such a great joy? Absolutely. Because, if you haven’t figured it out yet, the church is family. That is the biblical picture of the church. And Paul is reminding us we are supposed to have a love for one another that rivals the love a parent has for their child. So get out there and love like it has no end. Celebrate as others celebrate. Mourn with the one who mourns. Pick them up when they have seemed to fall down, making sure they are ok. Encourage them to keep trying and keep reaching. Because we all need one another. It’s what makes the church. The people, loving one another with a deep brotherly affection. -Pastor Brian
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