All Lives Matter
Philippians 3:10,
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
All Lives Matter To God
My life matters. I believe that phrase is one of the most basic needs a human being needs to know. They have significance in this life. The Holy Spirit of God taught me a lesson that I wish was far easier to learn and far less painful to employ. We here today that “Black lives matter”; “Blue lives matter” – I wholeheartedly agree with both – but not to the exclusion of all others. No one life is more or less significant than the other. Those closest to us are deserving of the passion and devotion our hearts can give. But because others aren’t as close cannot exclude them from a love I am to have for all men.
Each individual life is significant
So much so that God the Father sent His Son for ALL men – not just a select few as Calvinism would suggest. 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” We easily slide into fellowship and relationship with others that are like-minded. Those that have the same likes and dislikes are drawn closer to one another. It is a natural part of human life. But to acknowledge someone who their very presence causes us to feel as though someone was running their fingernails across a chalkboard, and allow the Spirit of God in us to love them as commanded. I believe that God places such people in our life for a reason.
2 Peter 3:9, The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
We easily slide into fellowship and relationship with others that are like-minded. Those that have the same likes and dislikes are drawn closer to one another. It is a natural part of human life. But to acknowledge someone who their very presence causes us to feel as though someone was running their fingernails across a chalkboard, and allow the Spirit of God in us to love them as commanded. I believe that God places such people in our life for a reason.
Loving those who love us is a very simple task. Loving those who do not love in return or even hate us becomes more difficult.
Our friendships and relationships can grow shallow and self-serving when the one redeeming factor is “What can you do for me?” We are known of God because there was One, who selflessly took it upon Himself to do for us what we could not do ourselves. I read in John 20 this morning where Mary came to the tomb on the third day with her heart broken over the loss of the One who literally altered her future and transformed her life.
As she came to the tomb, she found it empty, her heart sank – she answered the angels that asked why she was weeping by saying, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.’ She turned to leave and saw someone behind her. Thinking He was the gardener, she questioned Him as to the whereabouts of Jesus. Then it happened. All Jesus said had to say was “Mary”.
The Son of God knew who she was.
Think of it. Jesus, the Son of God knew who she was. He spoke her name! And acknowledged her presence. He validated her existence. He extended His love and affection with one statement – “Mary”. Have you ever felt so alone; so far from the reality of the moment that it was as if you were watching yourself live your life so unconnected from everyone else around you?
Then someone came and said your name; acknowledged your existence and showed that you are significant in this life; that you matter to them. Sometimes, we have to look beyond the gruff exterior to find that it was a wall of protection of a heart that had been recently wounded, freshly cut by a loved one or friend. Hurting people hurt people. When I realized that, it became easier to look beyond the hurtful words, the accusations, the pushing away. Most often, it is a defense mechanism to protect them and us from getting hurt again.
He loved all men. We are called and commanded to love all men just as He did.
If you and I are a child of God, born again according to the Word of God, then we are called to love as Christ loves. He loved all men. We are called and commanded to love all men just as He did. In our text, this morning, Paul, the apostle, shares his innermost heart’s desire – that I may know HIM. If you are saved, He knows you. We are to be the ones who set aside our prejudices, preferences, and opinions about others so that we can truly see them as our Heavenly Father does – worthy of sending His only begotten Son to die for them. When our innermost desire – to be known – is met, then we can be that for others. Meet with God this morning to hear your name called from His lips. Then, take that same Spirit to those who need to hear it most!
Download This Free MP3: Love From Above by Steve Curington
