As you begin your day, ask that Christ’s love rule and reign in your heart, and for His love to guide your words, thoughts and actions.
Love Must Be Sincere
Love must be sincere. Paul writes in Romans 12, Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Healthy competition is good. It challenges us to do our very best, to pursue excellence, whether it is competition at work in our careers or with our kids–maybe in sports or the arts. We don’t often think about competition in our Christian walk, but we should. Maybe we would then rise to the standard Jesus called us to in our thought life, in our actions and in how we speak to others.
Lift Up One Another
Paul exhorts us in Romans 12 to outdo one another in showing honor. That is a tall order and great to share with our children. It’s human nature to be concerned about how we look outwardly and what others think of us. They may wonder “Will people think I am a good athlete? A great student? Whatever our age, It’s good to assess ourselves from time to time asking, Do I find myself bragging about my own accomplishments or instead of lifting up others that are needing encouragement? Showing honor means recognizing the contributions others have made.
We all know showoffs in our lives; those that brag on themselves and are craving attention. More often than not they drain the life out of a room. We all no doubt prefer to be around those who are gifted but quiet about their success, confident in who they are in Christ and graciously affirm those around them.
Be Humble Not Selfish
In Philippians 2:3,4 we read, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus… Read through Philippians 2. Jesus, God Himself, did not use it to His own advantage. Instead, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness…he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death.
We love well when we walk in humility, honoring and valuing others above ourselves.
