“In Christ . . we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.” Romans 12:5 NLT
“Popular culture prizes success; God’s timeless Kingdom values service.”
My thoughts today are about “popular culture and a timeless Kingdom.”
We belong to each other . . need others? Today’s verse is difficult for most of us because of our addiction to independence and self-sufficiency. We are willing to relate to others, even help one another, but “belong to each other . . need all the others.” Really? Yes, the Kingdom of God does not operate on the same basis as today’s culture. Popular culture prizes success; God’s timeless Kingdom values service. “You were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge (yourself); rather serve one another in love. The Law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Galatians 5:13-14 NIV.
The world’s value system is much the same as in Jesus’ time. Success and greatness seem to be measured by how many people are at your service, dependent on your favor. That kind of power and supremacy is intoxicating. Jesus turned the natural order of things upside down and taught that true greatness is measured by how many you are willing to serve, not because you have to but because you choose to do so, in Christ’s name. Read Luke 22:33-37 NIV. “If any one wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all” – not many ready volunteers for that usually. Here’s why that is so difficult.
Committing yourself to belong to each other requires a relinquishment of independence, in a lifestyle of unselfishness that many struggle to embrace. From one’s earliest years, “me first” is the normal order – get to the front, gain the spotlight, have the most, and be the best!
What will you do with the Bible’s clear teaching on belonging to each other? “In honor, preferring one another . . in humility, consider others better than yourselves. Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others . . love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 12:10 NKJV/Philippians 2:3-4 NIV/ Galatians 5:14 NIV. Apart and on your own, you cannot be all you are meant to be.
Admitting that you need others requires a heart of real humility, that many people fear will leave them vulnerable and dependent. We have all seen people a little too needy and clingy and do not want to seem like that. In truth, you, along with every one of us, need other people in one way or another all the time. You cannot retain the right to choose who you need and when you need them; that is not an option that you have “in Christ.”
Jesus’ way is this: when your life is “In Christ,” Jesus chooses who you need and who needs you. You will often have to swallow your pride on both counts. Read 1 Corinthians 12:14-26 NIV. The Bible asks, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God..” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV. When you fully belong to God, you find it easier to give to, and receive from, others.
My prayer for you is this: recognize yours and others’ incompleteness without one another.
Love you, Poppa