Built Together
Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
There has never been a time quite like this in our lives. Our Governor has closed the schools, work-places and restaurants. Our President is compelling us to “avoid social gatherings of less than ten.” That covers our wonderful Lord’s day worship. Can you remember FRPC being empty even one Sunday? We are at war with an invisible enemy.
But we don’t stop being the Church of Jesus Christ. In this time of sheltering in place, we remember the one attribute of the Church most insisted upon in the New Testament: love. Romans 12:10 says, “Be devoted in love to one another.” Why is this? Because God is love and our love for one another is how the world can tell we are His disciples (John 13:35). And wonderfully, we know that love casts out fear. Fear has it’s clammy grip on a lot of people these days.
You see love is also the real evidence of the grace of God in your life. It’s not power, memorizing the catechism, performing miracles or speaking in tongues. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:3, “ If I have not love, I am nothing at all.” By love, Paul means “God’s saving grace in your heart working a holy character in your life. This love is called the highest, most excellent gift because it is the essential mark of true Christianity” (J. Edwards).
The grace of God in your heart, dear Christian, has unlimited potential. Anyone in our Church cultivating the love of God in their heart could become the greatest saint of our time! A person in whom the world is astonished for your humility, grace and love. There has never been a time quite like this for us to be the Church before a watching world.
So in light of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, let us love one another well, in such a way that the world around us may see it and glorify our Father in heaven. Here are some ways to “be devoted to one another and honor one another above ourselves.”
Pray for one another
Contact one another with phone calls, texts and notes. And let’s check in on our neighbors. On Thursday I visited my elderly neighbor Dominic and was surprised to find hospice caring for him and prayed with him and his son. What a great opportunity we have to love on our literal neighbors!
Let us bear one another’s burdens when we can
Let’s continue to seek the Lord’s face that he might give us more opportunities to love each other in unexpected way
If we are devoted to one another in love and honor one another above ourselves, then you should warn the session! So the session could go out and get a loan to build a much bigger Church!