Theme of the Week: Seeking First the Kingdom
Bible Verse: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35
Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:11-18
When I see stories of people ignoring the direction of leaders for social distancing, there has been one consistent idea that has been coming to mind – we reap what we sow. Over the last number of years, there has been a prevailing philosophy of individualism in western culture. We have created a society of people who seek first what is best for me (or only for my immediate family). People ignore leaders and what is best for others because they believe in their own truth that seeks their own interests.
This prevailing ideal for living contrasts sharply with the view of Jesus. When Jesus tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God, he is teaching us that he is the center of the story. It is his rule and reign that matters.
One of the things that matters to Jesus is for other people to know we are his disciples. His plan for people to know this reality is simply this: for us to love one another as Christians. In the Kingdom of God there is no space for individualism. Our love for each other is exactly what the world needs to see during this pandemic. There is something about loving each other as brothers and sisters in Christ that communicates this message to the rest of the world – we are committed to Jesus. We are different, and that is good news. Hyper-individualism will ultimately bring damage, while love brings hope and healing.
John gives us clarity of this love in 1 John 3:16 when he says, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” In verse 18 he adds, “Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
During this pandemic and time of social distancing – how is your love for other Christians?
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