We learn from teachings about submission to place others before ourselves. Jesus says, "Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it" (Luke 9:24). Paul writes, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself" (Phillipians 2:3). The paradox of submission is often misunderstood. Losing my life seems like all pain-no gain. But, we must begin to understand that LOVE BUILDS UP. When we build others up with the love of Christ we gain big time! We begin to take on the characteristics of God and so do our brothers and sisters.
But, love is often suffocated by pride, pain, and anxiety. Nobody wants to be a sucker ---the doormat---the one everyone takes advantage of. But, in our refusal to be the sucker sometimes we lash out, lack self-control, gentleness, kindness, etc. What if we premeditated love instead? No matter what I choose love. Essentially we eliminate other possible responses ahead of time. With premeditated love we are not tossed by our feelings but we are warm and loving with full knowledge of our pain. How is the pain endured? We will have full knowledge that we are outrageously loved by God.
No comments:
Post a Comment