Reading 17: Serving God and loving others

We live in a world fascinated by power and violence. Hatred and revenge are not only tolerated, but praised as strength and courage. We seek fame and reputation. We are expected to do what is necessary to get what we want. Those who do not follow this way are viewed with disdain.

These things hold us in captivity. As Christians we must ask: How do we free ourselves from them?

Paul says we become free by opening ourselves to God for a liberation that we cannot achieve. God then reforms us by transforming our minds. In that transformation we find a new way to live: LOVE. Paul then describes that liberating way of love.

We must ask, do we value this way? When was the last time you heard of someone being called a hero for following Paul’s prescription found in verses 14-20?

It is hard to follow God’s way because we desire society’s praise. Luther wrote that part of our liberation is in putting our desires to death. This love of society’s affirmation is something from which we must ask God to free us. For only when we value God’s praise over society’s will we do what God values and society condemns.

What specific loving actions does Paul ask of us?

In what specific ways might a Christian be condemned by our society for undertaking such actions?

Lord, help us to find freedom in the life of love that you give. Help us to turn from the way of power and revenge to the way of love and service to all, even to our enemies. Help us to be steadfast in love even when it brings the condemnation of our society.

–Richard Johnson, a Sunday school teacher at Macedonia, Burlington, is a middle school teacher in North Carolina, where he enjoys “slow bike “cycling and spending time with his wife Kay. In the summers he works for the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park.