Going first.

Sunday we talked about the ONE THING Jesus commanded his followers to do before he was arrested and crucified-

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”   John 13:34-35

Jesus’ final instructions for his followers were clear- Love others.  It’s easy to imagine what a different place the world would be if EVERYONE obeyed that one simple command.  Imagine if everyone in our families loved each other and put the needs of everyone else first.  Imagine if everyone in our workplace loved each other and put others needs before their own.   Imagine our society if EVERYONE chose love, and instead of fighting for their rights and interests, willingly put the needs of others first. 

Here’s the problem though:  EVERYONE won’t!  Everyone won’t return your love in kind.  Some people will “game the system”.  Some will take advantage.   Some people will see love as a sign of weakness and an opportunity to get more and give less.  People in your workplace may take advantage of your love and give you the worst assignments.  People in your family may take your love and return only broken promises and unpaid bills.

The problem with love is someone has to go first.

…before anyone else loves you back.

…before there is reward.

Loving others first is risky. 

Jesus went first.  To be a follower of Jesus is to pass that on by loving others first.

  It’s what we mean when we say that the purpose of actionchurch is to Love God, Love people, and take action.   We love others because he loved us first.

Love someone “first” today…

 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  Romans 5:8

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