Pr. 30:13: “There is a generation—oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up.”
Knowing that our strength and provision come from the Lord, it’s not really our place to be puffed up with pride. Treating others as though they are somehow beneath us just isn’t what we were commanded to do.
As I recall, Jesus broke bread with the reviled tax collectors and with sinners. He knew the reason for which He came to this earth, and He did not stray from that purpose. When questioned about it He spoke, “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” He came for people just as those. Just like me.
Jesus also reminded us that the same measure of judgment we use will be measured back to us. This a serious statement that we simply must remember.
When asked which is the greatest commandment, Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” And he added, ‘And the second is like this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”‘ He then gave an example of who qualifies as a neighbor. Apparently we are all neighbors. We are commanded to love one another as we love ourselves.
Loving as we love ourselves brings to mind Romans 12, which reminds us that each of us have a function and serve a specific purpose. We must not think more highly of ourselves than we ought, as we were all created as an essential part of the body of Christ. None are more important than any other.
Jesus, when faced with the question of who would be the greatest, spoke these important words, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Humbling ourselves, preferring others over ourselves, serving others, and operating in our specific purpose is what is seen as greatest to Him.
Although the generation in which we live certainly promotes being lofty, puffed up, and vain, we must hold tightly to the teaching of our Savior. No matter what attitude is the ‘norm’ in our world, the attitude that makes us the greatest in Jesus’ eyes is that of a servant.
God created each of us with different gifts and functions in this world. Instead of walking around thinking how much better we are than others, we are commanded to love everyone, and called to use our gifts to help one another and glorify the Father.
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another…distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” Ro. 12:10-12
Let’s reach out today and truly love.
Warmly,
jamie
considering the word 