Scriptural inspiration: Micah 6:8
What does the Lord require of you. Except to be just, and to love (and to diligently practice) kindness (compassion). And to walk humbly with your God (setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self righteousness)
As we heard recently, these three ingredients to a spirit filled life – being just, kind and being humble are a three corded strand that cannot independently fulfill God’s purpose for our lives. Justice without humility will lead to legalism, kindness without justice to a life of compromise and kindness without true humility is a form of pride in itself. Let’s put on the full armor of God and walk this life of faith knowing it well that we cannot by own strength reach the destination God has for us. We need God’s abundant grace and power to do so.
So, a few years ago in the city of Chennai, I began to see God’s love for me. I began to see that Jesus Christ had died for my sins and that He dearly loved me. I was deeply encouraged by messages that I was precious in His sight and that He has unique plans for me. Yet, as I walk this Christian life of faith, I might be blinded to assume that I am the sole possessor of His Love and mercy and kindness because I am precious to Him. Yes, Jesus loves me that’s True yet the whole Truth is He loves my brother too!!!
He loves a sacrificial wife and mother who gives herself up at home to care for her family and He loves the husband too who works hard at his workplace to earn his living for his family. God might have given us numerous revelations and lead us in a unique and extraordinary way to lead our family yet He loves that family in the neighbourhood too whose ways of bringing up the children could be completely different. He loves the sober story-telling father and the playful active daddy too. He loves the dear sisters who have long neatly plaited hair and He loves the bob-cut haired sister too. He Who has made the stars and the planets and each and every creation on the earth. He has planned everyone so different and He loves each of His children uniquely.
He loves the couples who have many children and He dearly loves those who have none. He has a purpose and plan for every individual and family. He loves that sister from the remote village of India and He loves the one from Mumbai too. He loves and enjoys the children who are noisy and mischievous and He again delights on the children who are quiet and calm too. He loves the Mumma who are skilled and the Mumma’s who are not interested in these things too. He loves boys and He loves girls too. He loves that brother who rides a cycle and He loves the brother in Safari too. He loves the basketball players and the guitarist too. He loves the techies and the farmer too.
And when I have realized, received and nurtured His True love in my heart it will help me see that He loves my brother too. I would no longer waste a minute judging, comparing and being jealous of my brother. I wouldn’t be itched at their actions or behavior or practice that doesn’t resemble mine.
When Peter was curious to know something about John, his brother in Christ, Jesus had to tell him straight… What is that to you? You follow Me!!
What should I do? I should simply pray for my brother when I see him in his weakness as I would pray for myself. And I should thank God for him when I see him doing well. There is no room of bitterness, envy and jealousy in the Kingdom of God. If I know God loves me, I need to doubly know that God loves my brother too.
