He continued, "That is the MOST important word in the English language. Don't ever forget that. This one word is the bottom line for you making a difference in this world."
I should have known that. I thought maybe 'success' would be 'the word'. Maybe 'money', or 'position', 'promotion' or the word 'me' would be better. I was a young grad student at the time and also a professional on the climb to the top...until this 'one word' hit me...and it hit me hard.
How about 'character', or 'integrity', or 'vision'? These are weighty words of worthwhile pursuits. Why not them? What about 'love'? Now that is a word that is just about at the core of every song (Rock, Bach, Classic or Country) or Hallmark card. Then I realized that I could 'love' peanut butter and not people and not make a lasting difference on anyone! That would be the end result if I 'loved' any object or ambition not focused on 'relationship(s)'.
"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we ought also love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us."
1 John 4:11-12
1 John 4:11-12
One of the messages that has saturated our culture with rare exception is that those 'words' previously mentioned are really the most important descriptions of what matters most...all of which affix attention on 'self'. Think about it. Think about it seriously. BUT, the message of the Scripture is so much different. The 'spirit of the world' does not recognize that Jesus came to love people, but to teach people, encourage people, be an example to people, but certainly not to redeem people. Yeah, Jesus was a good guy...but that is about it. That is why so many enjoy what Jesus had to say, but do not see Him as God's Son, expressing the Father's divine love for people!
'People'...now that is a 'relationship' based word! God sent His Son so that we could relate to God personally and with others who are in that relationship with Him as well. Did you read those first two words, "Dear friends...". There is the people principle from the very start!
So, today...make an adjustment...it may be radical to others who love things and use people when you start loving people and using things. Try this as you focus on the 'one word' today;
* Remember that you are invited by God to have relationship with Him personally. He initiated the relationship (read 1 John 4:9-10 and you will see that to be true) with you because you are the object of His affection and love. He has addressed the issue that has severed the relationship that sin caused by the Cross upon which His Son died.
* Remember that your new relationship with Him will require that you pay attention to it. When you value the relationship, it grows and deepens, and you will experience the daily joy of personal intimacy with God and watching His activity in your life that will bless you and others.
* Evaluate how you relate to others. Take a serious look at the messages that you communicate to the one you are married to, the kids that you are raising, the folk that you are neighbor to, the associates that you work with in the Conference Room or the job site. If God's love is in you (if you know Him then you can expect His heart for people to become your heart for people), use your words wisely, even with the inflection and tone of your voice as well as your body language. Since 'no one has seen God at any time', how can He be paid attention to? By you expressing the kind and the quality of 'love' that is His very character at work in you. You will go the 'second mile'. You will value people just like He values you.
This is how 'His love is made complete in you' as the Scripture says. Even the word 'love' is relational. It means that you are so valued that the need you cannot meet for yourself, God is willing to meet even at the expense of sacrifice...the kind that is focused on you. YOU are loved beyond the comfort or the convenience that God could have opted for instead of sending His willing Son to the Cross. Do you love others willingly and if necessary, sacrificially? Now that is the relational test that you can self-grade.
Oscar Thompson was right. 'Relationship' IS the most important word in the English language. He was one of my professors in Seminary 25 years ago. When he died of cancer just 18 months after making this introductory statement in my first class with him, I wept. I wept not because he was right. I wept because he befriended me. He chose to relate to me. His teaching became personal to me. I knew he loved God, and I realized that he loved me (and many others too!). God's love was fully expressed to me through the life of this yielded Christ-centered man. I wept because I did not say 'thank you' for the godly imprint this dear man made on me.
One day I will be able to say 'thank you'...to Oscar and especially to the Lord Who dispatched this man to love me to Him.
The power of 'one word' can change you and others around you as well. Relate well today, and if you haven't...confess that to the God who loves you...and then get on with the joy of building 'relationships' that mean something and that will last here and forever.
'People'...now that is a 'relationship' based word! God sent His Son so that we could relate to God personally and with others who are in that relationship with Him as well. Did you read those first two words, "Dear friends...". There is the people principle from the very start!
So, today...make an adjustment...it may be radical to others who love things and use people when you start loving people and using things. Try this as you focus on the 'one word' today;
* Remember that you are invited by God to have relationship with Him personally. He initiated the relationship (read 1 John 4:9-10 and you will see that to be true) with you because you are the object of His affection and love. He has addressed the issue that has severed the relationship that sin caused by the Cross upon which His Son died.
* Remember that your new relationship with Him will require that you pay attention to it. When you value the relationship, it grows and deepens, and you will experience the daily joy of personal intimacy with God and watching His activity in your life that will bless you and others.
* Evaluate how you relate to others. Take a serious look at the messages that you communicate to the one you are married to, the kids that you are raising, the folk that you are neighbor to, the associates that you work with in the Conference Room or the job site. If God's love is in you (if you know Him then you can expect His heart for people to become your heart for people), use your words wisely, even with the inflection and tone of your voice as well as your body language. Since 'no one has seen God at any time', how can He be paid attention to? By you expressing the kind and the quality of 'love' that is His very character at work in you. You will go the 'second mile'. You will value people just like He values you.
This is how 'His love is made complete in you' as the Scripture says. Even the word 'love' is relational. It means that you are so valued that the need you cannot meet for yourself, God is willing to meet even at the expense of sacrifice...the kind that is focused on you. YOU are loved beyond the comfort or the convenience that God could have opted for instead of sending His willing Son to the Cross. Do you love others willingly and if necessary, sacrificially? Now that is the relational test that you can self-grade.
Oscar Thompson was right. 'Relationship' IS the most important word in the English language. He was one of my professors in Seminary 25 years ago. When he died of cancer just 18 months after making this introductory statement in my first class with him, I wept. I wept not because he was right. I wept because he befriended me. He chose to relate to me. His teaching became personal to me. I knew he loved God, and I realized that he loved me (and many others too!). God's love was fully expressed to me through the life of this yielded Christ-centered man. I wept because I did not say 'thank you' for the godly imprint this dear man made on me.
One day I will be able to say 'thank you'...to Oscar and especially to the Lord Who dispatched this man to love me to Him.
The power of 'one word' can change you and others around you as well. Relate well today, and if you haven't...confess that to the God who loves you...and then get on with the joy of building 'relationships' that mean something and that will last here and forever.
1 comment:
Thank you
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