Peace, Love, & Understanding

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I was once asked by an atheist why Christians have so many rules when all they
need is just one: the so-called Golden Rule.

Well; for many of us who grew up in dysfunctional families, broken homes, foster
systems, gangs, and/or orphanages et al; the concept of love doesn't resonate in
our thinking; viz: it just bounces off us like a sonar ping because we quite literally
have no points of reference in our minds to aid comprehending what Christ means
by love.

● John 13:35 . . By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one
another.

We know what Hollywood and contemporary music mean by love, but many of us
scarcely have a clue what Christ means by it in that verse.

This is why the epistles are so valuable-- those writings not only show Christ's
followers how to recognize love when they encounter it; but also how to exemplify
it in their own lives so that those of us who were deprived of love growing up are
not left to figure it out on our own.

So; I'm utilizing this thread to go thru the epistles a little at a time each day
commenting on Bible passages that put a face on love so we can get to know it
better.

Buen Camino
(Pleasant Journey)
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● Rom 12:7a . . If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well.

"serving well" implies serving conscientiously and whole-heartedly rather than half
baked, grudging, and/or hit and miss.

One of my brothers has been a construction foreman for decades and one of his
perpetual complaints is that he never knows from one day to the next whether
some of the men he hires on jobs will show up. In other words: they aren't reliable,
he can't count on them.

What I'm saying is: if you're thinking about becoming helpful in some way, don't do
it unless you're willing to commit to the long haul because people need to know
that they can depend on you to stay the course.
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● Rom 12:8a . . If your gift is to encourage others, then do so.

Developing children benefit from encouragement in a big way. Thoughtless adults
can destroy a young child's fragile spirit by criticizing them all the time and never
once giving them an "attaboy" or a single vote of confidence.

A fitting word spoken at just the right moment can really beef up somebody's
resolve to meet life head on. If you're good at that sort of thing, then watch for
opportunities among your fellow Christians to do so. It has to be honest though
because leaving people with a false impression of themselves is all the same as
treachery, and sets them up for disappointment.

"Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet." (Prov 29:5)
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● Rom 12:8b . . If you have money, share it generously.

Generously is quite the opposite of sparingly.

Jesus once compared a widow's contributions to those of the wealthy. The small
amount she gave counted more than the larger amounts contributed by the wealthy
because her donation pretty much cleaned her out; while the wealthy's
contributions scarcely made a dent in their prosperity. (Mark 12:41-44)

I don't think Rom 12:8b is commanding Christ's followers to ruin themselves,
rather, to avoid being miserly.

“Christmas is a poor excuse every 25th of December to pick a man's pockets.”
Ebenezer Scrooge, A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens

Ol' Scrooge is known the world over as the king of tightwads. He's an extreme
example, to be sure; most people aren't that grasping, but I think quite a few are
maybe a bit too frugal.
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● Rom 12:8d . . If you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

That would probably correspond to incidents like the one depicted in the parable of
the man attacked by road agents in Luke 10:30-36. In that instance, a passerby
had the skills and the wherewithal to provide care for a total stranger in need.

Personally, I'm not much at first aid and/or emergency medical services. But what
we're getting at here is that should you find yourself in circumstances where you
can be of genuine, effective assistance; don't lend a hand grudging. It ought to
make Christians happy to be of assistance instead of getting irritated and grumpy
about an unexpected inconvenience.

A solo Pacific Crest Trail hiker named Cheryl Strayed, in her book "WILD", recounts
an evening wherein she was very low on funds and having no luck locating a
suitable place in the woods to set up her tent before it got really dark. Cheryl found
her way into a fee campground and set up at the extreme end of the facility where
she thought no one would mind; but later that night the caretakers came by and, in
a not-so-friendly tone, insisted that she either pay the $12 fee or break camp and
leave.

The "Christian" thing to do would have been to take Cheryl's I.O.U. and loan her
the fee instead of forcing a woman to wander out into the pitch black forest all
alone at night. The PCT is hazardous enough in daytime, but night is much worse,
even with a strong camper's headlamp.

NOTE: The law is the law and rules are rules, that's true but according to Jesus'
teachings; there are instances when human need-- e.g. life, health, safety, and
welfare -- take priority. His hard-hearted, strictly by-the-book religious opponents
just couldn't get that through their thick skulls. (cf. Ex 1:15-21)
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● Rom 12:9a . . Don't just pretend that you love others.

The Greek word translated "love" is derived from agape (ag-ah'-pay) which refers
to affection and/or benevolence; so we have a couple of choices.

I suggest Rom 12:9a forbids not only pretending to like people, but also pretending
to care about them.

I've heard politicians say "I feel your pain" when you know in your heart that they
don't feel anything at all-- zero --it's just bombast.

Webster's defines "pretense" as fiction, make-believe, and/or simulation. Ironically,
pretense is foundational to common courtesy. But when it comes to love; Christians
should never put on a front. In other words: don't lead someone on to believe you
care about them when in reality you don't. That's not only dishonest and
misleading; it's cruel.
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● Rom 12:10a . . Love each other with genuine affection

The Greek word translated "love" is derived from philadelphia (fil-ad-el-fee'-ah)
which refers to fraternal feelings; it goes beyond things like courtesy, kindness,
consideration, and charity, etc. Those things exhibit civil love which is a non
affectionate love; in other words: being nice to people without necessarily liking
them.

Rom 12:10a is not an easy command to obey because it requires the emotions of
fondness and affection, i.e. actually liking your fellow Christians as opposed to only
being nice to them.

Real affection is easy to imitate, but not so easy to duplicate. Going through the
motions is just not the same as feeling the feelings.

There are people in this world who, by nature, are affection-challenged. They can't
even feel anything for their own children, let alone other people. For them,
parenting is a nightmare rather than a dream come true. Their children are a
burden rather than a blessing. Children ruin those parents' lives instead of
brightening them up and making their lives more worth the living.

However, affection-challenged people aren't damaged beyond repair because
Christianity isn't entirely a do-it-yourself religion; it's also a supernatural religion;
viz: part of the plan of salvation is renovation.

"If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised
Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His spirit, who
lives in you." (Rom 8:11)

"Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day
by day." (2Cor 4:16)

A heads up to affection-challenged people: Love is inconvenient. It will make you a
better human being, but it will also make you pretty uncomfortable at times too
because love gets into your gut and makes you emotional, sensitive,
compassionate, and empathetic.
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● Rom 12:10b . . Honor others over yourselves.

Christians infected with narcissistic personality disorder will find that rule difficult, if
not impossible, to obey. It's a mental condition characterized by a grandiose sense
of self-importance, a need for excessive admiration, exploitive behavior in
relationships, and a lack of empathy.

Narcissistic people are by nature insufferably arrogant, self-absorbed, indifferent,
and insensitive. They see nothing wrong with their behavior, nor are they attuned
to its impact on others. Were you to confront narcissistic folk with your concerns
about their attitude; be prepared for a counterattack because they'll no doubt
become indignant and defensive; possibly accusing you of selfishness, jealousy,
overreaction, hysteria, and unloving behavior. You see; they're never the problem:
you are.

As I was watching a recent series on the National Geographic channel about
geniuses; it became readily apparent to me that people in the genius category
crave recognition. Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso are two very good examples.
Their contributions to art and science were secondary to their ambitions for
greatness. I wouldn't say that all geniuses are like that of course, but apparently
the desire for greatness is not uncommon among them.

I should think that most alpha achievers would have trouble complying Rom 12:10b
too. I mean. why be a winner if not to feel superior to everyone else? The alpha
achiever's motto is: It's not enough to succeed: everyone else must fail.

Feelings of value are important to everyone's sense of well being, but the alpha
achiever feels only himself to be of any real value; in his mind's eye, those "below"
him are of little worth, i.e. expendable and/or a dime a dozen. (cf. Est 6:6, Matt
27:26, Mark 12:38 39, and 3John 1:9)
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● Rom 12:13a . . Share with God's people who are in need.

The Jews are God's people in accordance with an unconditional covenant that He
made with Abraham. (Gen 17:7-8)

NOTE: Nazi Germany was very nearly 99% Christian. Had they all complied with
Rom 12:13a, the effects of the Holocaust would've no doubt been greatly reduced.
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● Rom 12:13b . . Practice hospitality.

Webster's defines hospitable as: (1) given to generous and cordial reception of
guests, (2) promising or suggesting generous and cordial welcome, (3) offering a
pleasant or sustaining environment.

In other words; a hospitable person is civil, courteous, thoughtful, easy on one's
nerves, helpful, non threatening, non militant, non reactive, non defensive,
approachable, accommodating, and relaxing to be with.
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● Rom 12:14 . . Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

The Greek word for "persecute" is dioko (dee-o'-ko) which means to pursue; i.e. to
hound. In other words; a persecuting personality is one whose mission in life is to
ruin somebody's day at every opportunity; and they are pretty good at finding ways
to do it.

Christians are under orders to remain civil with people deliberately out to get them;
and not let snipers discourage the practice of hospitality. If they want to behave
like predatory beasts, that's their choice; just be careful you don't choose to react
in kind.

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you
may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the
good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who
love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And
if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even
pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matt
5:43-48)

NOTE: The Greek word for "love" throughout that passage is agapao (ag-ap-ah'-o)
which doesn't necessarily speak of affection and/or fondness. In other words; you
don't have to like people, but you do have to be civil with them regardless of the
kinds of swine and/or jerks they may be.
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[brian100]

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This is why the epistles are so valuable-- those writings not only show Christ's
followers how to recognize love when they encounter it;
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You can't tell the difference between good and evil until you see its fruit. And by that time its too late.

Its like 3 friends who lure you to a park.. and hurt you. And by this you need a God to stop. Say they did that to me.. then they all died in a car accident the day before and I never knew it.

 

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● Rom 12:15 . .When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share
their sorrow.

A number of factors play a role in the making of an insensitive clod; one of which is
defective areas of the brain called amygdalae. In brief, the amygdalae control, to a
large extent, our emotions; i.e. our feelings, especially relative to empathy.

Normal amygdalae make it possible to commiserate; which can be roughly defined
as feeling sympathy and/or compassion as opposed to just going thru the motions.
For example: I heard somewhere that half of us go to funerals to honor folk we
couldn't be bothered with when they were alive and then lie through our teeth when
we tell the family "I'm sorry for your loss."

Defective amygdalae are usually a genetic problem; i.e. people with them were
born that way. So, they are going to have a pretty difficult time of it when it comes
to sharing in the happiness and/or the sorrow of others.

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots?" (Jer 13:23)

The answer to both those questions is of course NO; and like they say: you can't
get blood out of a turnip. So then, how is it reasonable to expect empathy
challenged Christians to share the happiness of happy people and/or the sorrows of
sad people?

Well; it isn't reasonable, but neither is it hopeless seeing as how there's a
supernatural remedy for personality disorders. (cf. Ezek 36:26)

BTW: It's surprising the number of Christians that I've encountered, even Sunday
school teachers, who honestly believe that feelings have no role whatsoever in the
practice of Christianity. As a result, they go about the business of their Christian life
as insensitive mannequins: cold, academic, and metallic; sort of like the Tin
Woodsman of the Wizard of Oz-- without a heart, he couldn't feel the passionate
emotions he once felt for the love of his life. Without a heart; the poor, pitiful man
was barely a sentient being
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● Rom 12:16a . . Live in harmony with each other.

It isn't necessary to be in 100% agreement with others on everything in order to
comply with that command. But it is necessary to practice courtesy, tolerance,
patience, and tact, i.e. make every effort to avoid feuding, one-upmanship, and
debating. The opposite of harmony is dissonance, which can be defined as a
mingling of sounds that strike the ear harshly, e.g. sour notes.

For some people, every disagreement is an act of war to be won at any cost. That's
not harmony, that's militant. It's far and away better for Christians to be diplomatic
rather than be right all the time.

"For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you
may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling,
jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder."
(2Cor 12:19-20)
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● Rom 12:16b . . Don't be elitist, but willing to associate with people below you.

I'd have to say that those instructions apply only in church where it's understood by
Spirit-led Christians that no one in attendance is somehow better than another. (cf.
Jas 2:1-4)

Church managers should be given a higher degree of respect than pew warmers
because they're in positions of authority; but all in all, church is a congregation of
redeemed sinners, and that includes the managers; so we're all equals on that
basis. Christ had to undergo just as much suffering, indignity, and death to redeem
church managers as he did for everyone else so God forbid that the hierarchy
should exhibit a holier-than-thou attitude; viz: a superiority complex. (cf. Matt
23:2-7)
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● Rom 12:16c . . Don't be wise in your own conceit.

Webster's defines "conceit" as excessive self-appreciation of one's own worth or
virtue. In other words we're talking about hubris; which often indicates a loss of
contact with reality and an overestimation of one's own competence,
accomplishments or capabilities.

Conceit is uncivil, untrainable, and intolerable. It truly believes nobody beneath its
dignity could possibly have anything to tell that it doesn't already know; and if it
doesn't already know, then that's because the information possessed by those
beneath its dignity isn't worth knowing.

Those kinds of people will interrupt you right in the middle of your sentence and
begin talking about their own perspective as if your voice is nowhere to be heard in
the whole room. You know why they do that? Because they sincerely believe that
nothing you are in the midst of saying is nearly as important as what they have to
say. In other words: you, and your thoughts, are superfluous.

Conceited folk are generally very picky about their influences too; in other words,
even if somebody is a Spirit-gifted Bible teacher, but are neither published,
accredited, or properly educated, then forget it. That Spirit-gifted somebody is eo
ipso undeserving of conceit's intellectual attention right out of the box.

Conceit is not only stuck on itself; but very critical of others too. I've seen it to
happen time and again that when a Spirit-gifted Bible teacher comes across with a
personality like Elijah's or John the Baptist's that conceit summarily brushes them
off as "unloving" no matter even if they speak as the very voice of God. In other
words; conceit disdains to be taught; rather, conceit seeks to be accommodated.

I think most people in church are aware that conceit is unacceptable.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:3)

Conceit is a psychological disorder, so people can't just turn it off at will. But unless
something radical is done to correct their conceit; they'll will have to face the sum
of all fears.

"Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall
not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 18:3)
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● Rom 12:17a . . Never reciprocate evil with evil to anyone.

That is a really tough command to follow; for example: when someone makes a
demeaning comment, and/or a sarcastic remark about us, the urge to bounce back
with a rejoinder in kind is very difficult to resist.

Well-to-do families at one time sent their daughters off to finishing school to learn a
variety of social graces. I don't know, maybe they still do; but surely diplomacy
ought to be a common social grace among Christians.
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● Rom 12:18 . . If possible, so far as it in your power, be at peace with all men.

Assertive, defensive, demanding, fault-finding, imperious, judgmental,
confrontational, argumentative, bossy, spirited, hard-nosed, implacable, moody,
thin skinned, vindictive, abrasive, spiteful people are not allowed in heaven. Why?
Because heaven is a place of peace (Matt 5:9, Rom 14:17).

Disagreeable people who fight at the drop of a hat simply don't fit in heaven and
besides, not only would they be a fish out of water; but it wouldn't be fair to the
others to let difficult people in to heaven where they would surely turn it into the
same kind of hellish world to live in that they've made the Earth.

Christians should not be difficult. Of all people, they should be the easiest to get
along with.
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● Rom 12:19 . . Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave it to the wrath of
God, for it is written: Vengeance is mine, I will repay; testifies The Lord.

The focus is upon one's "own" revenge; in other words: if the matter can't be
settled legally; let it go rather than take it upon yourself to be prosecutor, judge,
jury, and executioner, i.e. a vigilante. Those who seek justice outside the justice
system are no less criminals than the people they seek to punish.
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● Rom 12:20 . . If your personal enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty,
give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.

Heaping real live burning coals upon somebody's head would be terribly vindictive
and unchristian; as would wishing them dead and condemned to Hell. It's probably
just meant to be a colloquialism for making someone feel ashamed of themselves.

Way back when the television show "SURVIVOR" was in its second or third season,
two of the women fell out of sorts and one vowed that even if the other were lying
in the street near death from thirst, she'd walk right past and not give her so much
as a drop of water.

Bad form. Christians have to remain civil and not permit detestable people to
dictate the way we treat our fellow men. It is far better for Christ's followers to
exemplify humanitarian principles than satisfy a grudge. I'll admit it's galling to
have to be courteous with people that mistreat us; but what can I say? Christ
expects us to.

"If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax
collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more
than others? Do not even pagans do that?" (Matt 5:46-47)
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