Have you
ever had one of those dreams where you’re standing before a crowd and suddenly
realize that you’re not dressed? There you are in your underwear, or maybe
completely nude, feeling mortified. It’s actually a very common dream that many
people report having. One interpretation is that the dream is a subconscious
indicator that the dreamer feels exposed or unprepared.
Lately,
there’s been a whole lot of nudity around. Not in my dreams, but in the real
world. The problem isn’t new but it certainly seems to be running rampant.
There’s a spiritual nakedness that streaks across online posts and comments and
across radio and air waves. Sometimes it flashes us in the office breakroom or
even in our own living rooms.
Jesus
was clear in how we are to conduct ourselves as His followers. He left us the
command to love.
“The most important command is
this…You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all
your mind and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your
neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” -Mark
12:30-31
The love
He speaks of isn’t romantic love, it’s not brotherly love. It is agape love. It
is a love without conditions.
·
It
doesn’t mean warm and fuzzy feelings.
·
It
doesn’t mean approval of behavior.
·
It
doesn’t mean tolerated abuse.
·
It
doesn’t mean a lack of boundaries.
·
It
doesn’t mean letting someone hurt themselves.
·
It
doesn’t even mean agreement.
·
But
it does mean behavior, words, and deeds that are other-centered, respectful, kind,
and considerate.
And that
love we are called to have extends far beyond our neighborhoods. Jesus commands
us to love everyone, even and perhaps most importantly, the enemy. Those who disrespect
us. Those who hurl insults. Those who are cruel. Those our flesh wants to grab
hard and shake, even those our flesh wants to destroy.
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your
neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who
persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father
in heaven.’- Matthew 5:43-45a
Our time
here is not about ourselves. It’s about God and pointing people to Him. But without
love we are ill prepared to represent Christ to a hurting world. Though our
message may be true, unless we are first dressed in love, they are too distracted
by our nudity to hear the words, much less let them touch their hearts.
There’s something
else that Jesus said about love. It convicts me, perhaps it convicts you too.
“Those who accept my commandments and obey
them are the ones who love me.”-John
14:21a
So, if
we are truly Christians, those who have accepted Christ as our personal Savior,
then the answer of how to interact with all people at all times is simple. We follow His command and love.
No
matter who they are:
A
sister who let you down
A
friend who turned against you
A
gun-loving hunter
An
animal rights activist
An
atheist
A
Muslim
A
conservative
A
liberal
A
person of color
A
white man
A
gay teen
A
straight girl
An American
A foreigner
A
pro-life supporter
A
pro-choice supporter
Hillary
Obama
Trump
If we’re
not loving them, we’re not
loving Him.
Lesson for the Journey:
Agape
love doesn’t come automatically, but neither does wearing clothes. To do either
one, you must first be intentional. Don’t show the world a naked Christian. Remember,
you aren’t fully dressed until you put on love.
- Ann Wilds
Since God chose you
to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourself with tenderhearted
mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12
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