As I marinated in the words of Romans 12:9-13 this morning,
I really felt that God was pointing out a particular word that permeates the
gist of this passage and reflects the way we should live. That word is…“BE.”
Paul says, “Love must BE sincere…”, “BE devoted to one another…”, “Never BE lacking in zeal…”, “BE joyful
in hope…” This entire section of
scripture seems to be saturated with the call to a particular way of life. This is how I am to live 24/7; How I am to
function every second of every day. It
is the state of my BEing: Love that is
constant and real; Devoted to others I am called to love; Serving God with a
passion that is boiling over; Joyful in the tough moments and holding on to
hope; Displaying hospitality to those who walk into my life.
Yes, on Sunday and in Life Group, when I am connecting with
God and other believers, I am certainly to BE this way. But more importantly I am to BE,
live, function, think, act, walk, breathe… all through the power of God’s
Spirit… in the realm of all these Godly characteristics that Paul is
stating.
This should BE the mission, purpose, and guiding
principles of the way I am… in meetings, when I am walking through Wal-Mart, as
I’m driving my El Camino (especially this because I stick out like a sore thumb
and it is easy to see when I am not driving in a Christ-like manner!), when I’m
watching TV with my wife or when I’m alone with my thoughts.
A fairly recent way of describing this in Christian circles,
and one we have started using in our tribe, has been to call this Missional
Living. I am to BE Christ.
That is my mission.
So BE it!
- David Garison, Senior Pastor
Now go and BE. Live it! Inspiring truth! Challenging truth! Walk the walk don't just talk the talk.
ReplyDeleteAs I read this I find myself questioning "Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." It is the one passage that has anything negative out of the 9-13. I find myself questioning what exactly it means. It seems like it fits more with 17-19. I have always told my children that it is not ok to hate but more so to dis-like lol. This whole passage has just been a great reminder of how to live day to day. It seems that I have not been living with zeal lately and probably need to take Brandons advice and really start thinking of where I'm needed and what can I do to help.
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