Like Paul, you can make a difference in the lives of others -- in your family, school, church, community, and world! The world needs you -- your ideas, your compassion, and your spiritual outlook. And, it’s never too late to start contributing. The best gifts are those from the heart.
Do God’s Will -- Love!
It’s hard sometimes to be part of a club, organization, committee, group, or even church because not everyone in the group always gets along -- even if we think we all have the same goal or are working toward the same purpose.
Paul saw this happening in the Corinthian church, so he wrote them a letter (and then another letter) to help them work together. They were having problems that they weren’t able to solve. There was lots of bickering and in-fighting going on in this small family of Christians. Some were being immoral. Others were having marital problems. Some looked down on other members of the group. Some were turning worship services into full-fledged parties. People were taking each other to court. They were falling asleep to the work they were supposed to be doing. People were trying to force their own beliefs on others -- rather than following the gospel of Christ. It was a battle of “wills.”
Paul told them that in order to fix their problems, they had to learn to love better:
- “You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common” (The Message, I Cor 1:10).
- “When you hurt your friend, you hurt Christ” (8:12).
- “Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it -- because it does” (14:1).
Wow!
So let’s make a difference by putting God’s love into action in every situation and with everyone, including ourselves.
- Listen to God to hear God’s will, and put that first.
- Love to do whatever God tells you.
- Remember that it’s more important to be loving than it is to be “right.”
- Don’t assume that you’re the only one who can hear what is the best thing to do.
- Be willing to listen to and even accept different viewpoints.
- Refuse to force your own opinions on your friends, classmates, family members.
- Don’t judge or condemn, especially before you’ve heard all of the sides and honestly know all the facts.
- Don’t get so caught up in getting something done or forcing through your own way that you lose sight of what’s the kind thing to do.
- Maintain your integrity and principles, but do so with grace and humility. This may mean that you may not go along with what others suggest.
- Find the ethical, fair, and compassionate way of doing something.
- If people are putting others down, find a way to stop the criticism and bullying.
- Stand up for the loving way to accomplish whatever needs to be done.
- Love others and yourself enough to do God’s will.
- Respect your parents and those in authority.
- Make your sibling your best friend.
- Love everyone!
Let’s also love the way Paul tells us to love:
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn ’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Love never dies.
(The Message, I. Cor 13:4-8)
Enjoy loving to do God’s will.  |
