March 9, 2015 – Romans 12:9-10

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.  Romans 12:9-10No one can mask true love, neither can they fake love for someone else.  Adoring eyes, concern for another, making the way easier for a special someone underlines real love.  Along with real love for someone else, comes prayer for that someone else.The discipline of prayer for another produces deep love for that person. A mother prays constantly for her beloved children.  Once when my two brothers and I were having a squabble, Mother cried.  She told us that she loved all of us, and it hurt her deeply when we did not love each other.  In the same way, God hurts when we do not love one another.Who prayed for Jesus as he was growing up?  Who put their arms around Jesus when he was hurt?  Who comforted him while He was on earth?  The glib answer might be: His Father in Heaven or his mother Mary.And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’  Matthew 25:39-40.Have you ever wondered about how to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus?  The first step is humility – the very phrases that are familiar to us, discount the mindset of Jesus.  “I deserve it”…whatever ‘it’ is.  “I am Number One.”  “You owe me.”  The familiar entitlement facade that pervades our culture, encourages no acceptance of responsibility for wrong thinking.The sweetness and tenderness of Christ Jesus’ love for others is evident in His life while on earth — as a servant!  Forgiveness is ours when we turn our hearts and minds to Him and extend His love, letting it flow from our hearts to others in tangible and intangible ways.The lyrics of the song My Tribute, written by Crystal Lewis, expresses my thoughts just now; How can I say thanks.. For the things you have done for me.. Things so undeserved.. Yet You gave to prove your love for me.. The voices of a million angels.. Could not express my gratitude.. All that I am and ever hope to be.. I owe it all to thee… To God be the glory….In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God,  did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;  rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death  — even death on a cross.  Philippians 2:5-8