That One Person 51/366

Tonight in small group we read Ephesians chapter 2 and talked about the relationship between the Jews and Gentiles. Or a better description would be the enmity between the two. I asked the girls to consider how they would have felt about Jesus if they'd been a Jew at that time. How the message Jesus brought was beyond radical. We discussed how Jesus came to tear down the wall of hostility between the jews and Gentiles so that the two peoples who did not see eye to eye would become one people, focused on Him.

We dove into Romans 12:9-21. 1 Corinthians 13, the popular "love chapter" did get an honorable mention, but our attention was on Romans. After reading through it we agreed that Romans 12 is a graduate level teaching on love. 

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I shared how excited I was years ago when I read verses 19 and 20, thinking about how much bigger God is than I am, how much better revenge He can take. How when I am obedient it is heaping coals on the head of my enemies. And how much joy and pleasure those thoughts brought me.  

Until I was convicted. 

My attitude and actions were driven by selfishness, not love. 

And I had to change.

We talked about how easy it is to walk into a full room and say "I love you all." 

Until we see that "one person". 

The one that is hard to love.

The one that is a thorn in our flesh.

The one that knows how to push our buttons.

The one that drives us to pray, 

"Lord, You are going to have love them through me. 'Cause I got nothin' worth giving." 

That "one person" is our opportunity to lean harder into Jesus.

To practice choosing obedience.

And by practicing obedience it becomes a habit.

And a habit, once made, makes choosing obedience more second nature and less of a struggle.

Tonight our small group focused on Romans 12 and left with a big challenge.

Love like Jesus.

Especially that "one person" that seems to thrive on making it hard.