Love is God's call for His people. As people loved by God, we are called to love others. I invite you to reflect with me for just a few minutes on Paul's words in Romans 12:9-21.
(Read Romans 12:9-21)
Clearly, love is active, and it requires a change of heart. Earlier we talked about how we cannot love with words or tongue alone, but that love requires action and truth. In much the same way it is not possible to love with actions alone, but love must come from the heart.
Paul says, "Love must be sincere." (v. 9)
Since love comes from the heart, we cannot fake it. I cannot simply give to my neighbor in need, I must also be willing to give myself, my friendship, my heart. Those are the most difficult to give. Yet if love is to be sincere, then I believe that is what it will require.
Paul also says, "Honor one another above yourselves." (v. 10)
In order to honor another above myself, I must have my heart changed. My first inclination in every situation is to honor myself, love myself, make sure I have what I need or want. Yet, sincere love doesn't work that way. Sincere love honors others, even above ourselves.
One of the ways you can see honor being given to others above ourselves, is when we rejoice with those who rejoice! Jealousy is one of the biggest challenges to sincere love. If I can be happy because you are happy, or if I can be joyful because you have succeeded even beyond me, then I know that my love is sincere. It is not easy, but it is what real love requires.
Finally, Paul says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (v. 18)
Peacemaking is love put in action. Living at peace requires sincere love, honoring others above yourself, rejoicing with those who rejoice, etc. Peace is the fruit of sincere love put into action.
Notice, however, that Paul states, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you ..." Some people will not live at peace with us. That is the reality of living in a broken world. Nevertheless, Paul is saying make sure it is not you that is refusing to live at peace, rather he says, "as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
Love is our call as God's people, His dearly loved children, so let us make every effort to love others sincerely and from the heart, as we journey together along the Way ...
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
October 21, 2014 - Along the Way ...
Loving my neighbor is very difficult. It begins with having the right heart, knowing how to answer "Who is my neighbor?" It continues with understanding that love must be put into action according to truth. But how do we decided when and how to love our neighbor well?
This question is related to the complexities of life. I do not have access to all the necessary information, yet I am called to love well anyway. Therefore we must learn to discern, and good discernment requires relationship. I cannot love well, unless I first know my neighbor.
In learning to discern, we must first remember that our greatest need is relationship. We need each other. I need my neighbor as much as she needs me. Without a good relationship, it is difficult to make the best care choices. So we must be content with establishing relationship before any material goods can be exchanged.
And this is true for all situations.
One of the reasons (and there are many) I do not give to the homeless person standing on the freeway with a sign is because I do not know him. In order to really care for him, I need to know him. And whether he knows it or not, in order for him to receive from me, he needs to know me too.
Unfortunately I do not take the time to get to know him, and one of the reasons is because the street corner near a busy freeway is a less than ideal place to establish a relationship. It would be better done in a coffee shop, or a local restaurant over a meal. But when you do not know someone, it is difficult to even take that first step.
So what should we do?
Ultimately, I cannot meet every one of my neighbor's needs, especially for all those who are called my neighbor. Therefore, my responsibility is to first get to know my neighbor; those God has placed around me. In relationship, I fulfill her greatest need and she meets mine. Over time the relationship can grow to include meeting other needs, but it must always begin with a relationship.
Derek Webb wrote a song called "Rich Young Ruler" where he states the following,
poverty is so hard to see
when it's only on your tv and twenty miles across town
where we're all living so good
that we moved out of Jesus' neighborhood
where he's hungry and not feeling so good
from going through our trash
he says, more than just your cash and coin
i want your time, i want your voice
i want the things you just can't give me (http://www.lyricsmania.com/rich_young_ruler_lyrics_derek_webb.html)
"More than just your cash and coin, I want your time, I want your voice,
I want the things you just can't give me."
Offering ourselves to another is the greatest gift we can give, and receiving others as gifts in and of themselves is the greatest gift we can receive. We were not made to live alone, we were made for God and we were made for each other.
So what do you think? Do you agree or disagree? I invite you to share your thoughts as well as we journey together along the Way ...
This question is related to the complexities of life. I do not have access to all the necessary information, yet I am called to love well anyway. Therefore we must learn to discern, and good discernment requires relationship. I cannot love well, unless I first know my neighbor.
In learning to discern, we must first remember that our greatest need is relationship. We need each other. I need my neighbor as much as she needs me. Without a good relationship, it is difficult to make the best care choices. So we must be content with establishing relationship before any material goods can be exchanged.
And this is true for all situations.
One of the reasons (and there are many) I do not give to the homeless person standing on the freeway with a sign is because I do not know him. In order to really care for him, I need to know him. And whether he knows it or not, in order for him to receive from me, he needs to know me too.
Unfortunately I do not take the time to get to know him, and one of the reasons is because the street corner near a busy freeway is a less than ideal place to establish a relationship. It would be better done in a coffee shop, or a local restaurant over a meal. But when you do not know someone, it is difficult to even take that first step.
So what should we do?
Ultimately, I cannot meet every one of my neighbor's needs, especially for all those who are called my neighbor. Therefore, my responsibility is to first get to know my neighbor; those God has placed around me. In relationship, I fulfill her greatest need and she meets mine. Over time the relationship can grow to include meeting other needs, but it must always begin with a relationship.
Derek Webb wrote a song called "Rich Young Ruler" where he states the following,
poverty is so hard to see
when it's only on your tv and twenty miles across town
where we're all living so good
that we moved out of Jesus' neighborhood
where he's hungry and not feeling so good
from going through our trash
he says, more than just your cash and coin
i want your time, i want your voice
i want the things you just can't give me (http://www.lyricsmania.com/rich_young_ruler_lyrics_derek_webb.html)
"More than just your cash and coin, I want your time, I want your voice,
I want the things you just can't give me."
Offering ourselves to another is the greatest gift we can give, and receiving others as gifts in and of themselves is the greatest gift we can receive. We were not made to live alone, we were made for God and we were made for each other.
So what do you think? Do you agree or disagree? I invite you to share your thoughts as well as we journey together along the Way ...
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
October 14, 2014 - Along the Way ...
Last week, I considered the question, "Who is my neighbor?" as I began to consider what it might mean to really love my neighbor. This week, I would like to examine the question, "What does love look like?"
(Read I John 3:11-24)
John makes clear that love for one another is obedience to God, and it has always been that way.
(Read I John 3:11-24)
John makes clear that love for one another is obedience to God, and it has always been that way.
"This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another." (11)
He cites Cain's refusal to love his brother Abel as an example of disobedience to the command and then calls us to not be like Cain. He also states that the evidence that we have passed from death to life (see also John 5:24) is that we love our brothers (read "others"). So clearly loving others is not an option for those who seek to follow after Jesus, but what does love look like?
John helps us understand what love looks like by referencing Jesus' sacrificial death and encouraging us to sacrifice for the good of others.
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.
And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him,
how can the love of God be in him?
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth." (16-18)
What would it mean to love "with actions and in truth"?
This past weekend I was privileged to listen to a seminar on finding a Biblical perspective for the immigration debate. The speaker said that in order for us to address this debate Biblically, we must begin with the more foundational reality - the immigrant's humanity; i.e. each person is made in the image of God.
I think starting with the image of God in all humans is critical in the immigration debate, but I also believe it can offer us a better way forward in loving our neighbor. If each person I encounter on a daily basis is my neighbor, shares my humanity, and is created in God's image, then God's command to love "with actions and in truth" is binding. I must care for the needs of the other, and seek to understand their needs in order to meet them, even as I seek to understand and meet my own needs.
Loving "with actions and in truth" will lead us to do something for those we encounter, when their need is apparent. Indeed we must do something! However, doing something does not mean doing everything. Sometimes to love "in truth" will require us to offer relationship without meeting other needs because the person created in God's image may need to learn to care for themselves.
Deciding how to help actively and truthfully, requires great discernment and a close relationship to God Himself. Only God is able to meet our greatest need, so we must be careful not to overstep our role as "brother" or "sister" into trying to be a savior. Again, knowing the best response for a particular situation will require great discernment, but I think the best place to begin is relationship.
In relationship, I offer myself to another and honor them by creating space in my life for them. Healthy relationships begin with real friendship, and enable us to see that the best gift we can give and receive is ourselves.
So how can you show love by creating space for another in your life this week? I invite you to share your ideas and other comments, as we journey together along the way ...
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
October 7, 2014 - Along the way ...
This past Sunday I committed myself to be more intentional about "loving my neighbor", but what exactly does that mean?
In order to answer that question, I must begin with the question, "Who is my neighbor?"
This famous question was asked Jesus to which He responded with a parable. (See Luke 10:25-37) Yet the parable is only half the story. The interaction begins with the man's question, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answers by asking him, "What is written in the law?" To which the man replies, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus answers, "You have answered correctly ... Do this and you will live." Then because the man wanted to justify himself he responds, "Who is my neighbor?"
The answer to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" is a tricky one. In essence, every person ever created, but especially those in close proximity to me at any time, is my neighbor. So in order to love my neighbor well, I need to see people (all people) as God sees them, and I need to love them as He loves them as an expression of my deep love for God Himself.
So, "Who is my neighbor?"
Most often we read the parable of the Good Samaritan, and we see that our concern should be for others, to love them in their time of need, and take care of them. I agree. That is certainly part of what Jesus is teaching. However, Jesus goes deeper. He requires that love must be not only outward but inward as well. It is possible to show compassion to another without actually loving them.
Consider the man's response when Jesus asks him, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" He replies, "The one who had mercy on him." Notice what he does not say. He does not say, "the Samaritan" rather he says, "The one ..." This man hates Samaritans so much that it would be near impossible for him to acknowledge virtue in any one of them. He may learn to love outwardly (by showing mercy), but he fails to love inwardly (by acknowledging the personhood of the people he hates in his heart).
So the question, "Who is my neighbor?" is where our conversation must begin. What about you? Do you have any thoughts? I would love to hear what you have to say, as we journey together along the way ...
In order to answer that question, I must begin with the question, "Who is my neighbor?"
This famous question was asked Jesus to which He responded with a parable. (See Luke 10:25-37) Yet the parable is only half the story. The interaction begins with the man's question, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answers by asking him, "What is written in the law?" To which the man replies, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus answers, "You have answered correctly ... Do this and you will live." Then because the man wanted to justify himself he responds, "Who is my neighbor?"
The answer to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" is a tricky one. In essence, every person ever created, but especially those in close proximity to me at any time, is my neighbor. So in order to love my neighbor well, I need to see people (all people) as God sees them, and I need to love them as He loves them as an expression of my deep love for God Himself.
So, "Who is my neighbor?"
Most often we read the parable of the Good Samaritan, and we see that our concern should be for others, to love them in their time of need, and take care of them. I agree. That is certainly part of what Jesus is teaching. However, Jesus goes deeper. He requires that love must be not only outward but inward as well. It is possible to show compassion to another without actually loving them.
Consider the man's response when Jesus asks him, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" He replies, "The one who had mercy on him." Notice what he does not say. He does not say, "the Samaritan" rather he says, "The one ..." This man hates Samaritans so much that it would be near impossible for him to acknowledge virtue in any one of them. He may learn to love outwardly (by showing mercy), but he fails to love inwardly (by acknowledging the personhood of the people he hates in his heart).
So the question, "Who is my neighbor?" is where our conversation must begin. What about you? Do you have any thoughts? I would love to hear what you have to say, as we journey together along the way ...
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
September 23 - Along the Way ...
I recently returned from 6 weeks of Air Force chaplain training. My journey to becoming a Christian military chaplain has been a long one. Through the process God has formed and shaped me to prepare me for this unique calling. So I thought I would take some time to share with you some of the things I have learned, and give some perspective on being a Christian Military Chaplain.
Christian military chaplains are often misunderstood. Some people think a Christian military
chaplain is a pastor serving in the military.
While that might be part of who we are and what we do, it certainly does
not capture the full picture.
First,
military chaplains, in general, are “inherently governmental”. There are actually very few jobs in the
military that are “inherently governmental”, but a chaplain is one. We are “inherently governmental” because we
provide and provide for the free exercise of religion for all Airmen, Soldiers,
Sailors, and Marines as guaranteed in the First Amendment of the US
Constitution. Therefore, our role is
not one the military can choose to do without because we help Military Commanders
provide and provide for a constitutional right for every one of his or her
troops.
Second,
military chaplains are military officers who possess rank without command
authority because we are “noncombatants”.
As noncombatants, our role is a support role. Still we are military officers, and are held
to the same standards as our counterparts in the combatant world. We train the same, wear the same uniform,
and require the same respect for the service we perform. In the past, both chaplains and others have
misunderstood this dimension. The
phrase, “He or she is just a chaplain” was used often. This phrase dismissed us, and caused us to
lose respect among the troops, thus losing a bit of our voice. Yet, as visible reminders of the holy, our
voice is critical, and we cannot let anything take that voice away. It is up to us to maintain the standard, and
change the perceptions of others. We
must meet the standards and similarly hold others accountable in order to
fulfill our role as military officers. We
must uphold the standard because we not only speak pastorally to the Airmen,
Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines, but we also advise leadership. Leadership will not listen if we do not
command their respect, therefore we must take our role as military officers
seriously.
Third,
military chaplains, in particular Christian military chaplains, are invited to
represent Jesus in a pluralistic environment.
In that environment, there are certain rules of engagement we must
observe in order to continue to engage.
We must respect others and provide for the free exercise of all religions,
while also not seeking to establish any particular religion. Therefore, when we pray in public forums,
where members of many different faith groups are present, we are mindful to
pray in such a way that respects everyone.
Also, because Christian military chaplains represent Jesus, in my
opinion, we should not do anything that might hinder an opportunity for
meaningful engagement with those we are called to serve. Ultimately, I believe God is in control, and
as I trust Him and pray for opportunities, God will open doors and bring people
to Christ, as I bring Christ to people through the Holy Spirit who lives within
me.
I hope this
helps you understand the unique calling of a Christian military chaplain, and
encourages you to pray for us as we seek to serve those who serve. If you have questions or comments, I invite you to share them in a post or send me a personal message. I will do all I can to respond to every inquiry I receive.
Thank you for reading my thoughts, and for your partnership in the gospel, as we journey together along the way ...
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
August 5, 2014 - Along the way ...
This past week I have been thinking a lot about matters of life and death. I attended a suicide intervention training event last week, listened to a presentation on prosecuting perpetrators of sexual assault, and participated in a hospital ethics committee discussion on Elective Termination.
It really is overwhelming. Emotionally it is all very sad. Mentally it is taxing to try to live into the experience of another in order to make good, wise choices. Spiritually it takes a toll on your soul to grapple with the brokenness of this world in such a tangible way.
In the end, however, it all comes down to one thing: Human life is valuable!
We seek to help people considering suicide because we believe that their life has inherent value as well as value to those around them. It is not just their life. Our lives belong to God and are shared with the people around us. Suicide is tragic because it affects so much more than just one life.
Similarly, we prosecute offenders who abuse others for their own pleasure because every human being is precious and deserves proper treatment. We cannot use others for own purposes without violating their unique personhood. This is also why prostitution and sex trafficking are so damaging to the soul of our society and must be stopped.
Finally, because life is valuable, elective termination is wrong. We don't get to decide who lives and who dies; that is God's territory. Our lives are in God's hands. It is one thing to choose to care for the mother more than the child during pregnancy because it is a matter of life and death. Yet it is quite another thing to act to purposely take the life of another. Every human life is valuable and precious and deserves every right to flourish.
I know this gets back to some of the things I said a few weeks ago, but I feel I must keep this conversation going. What do you think? I am interested to hear your thoughts, so I invite you to share them openly or privately at joekamphuis@comcast.net.
I look forward to greater understanding and appreciation as we journey together along the way ...
It really is overwhelming. Emotionally it is all very sad. Mentally it is taxing to try to live into the experience of another in order to make good, wise choices. Spiritually it takes a toll on your soul to grapple with the brokenness of this world in such a tangible way.
In the end, however, it all comes down to one thing: Human life is valuable!
We seek to help people considering suicide because we believe that their life has inherent value as well as value to those around them. It is not just their life. Our lives belong to God and are shared with the people around us. Suicide is tragic because it affects so much more than just one life.
Similarly, we prosecute offenders who abuse others for their own pleasure because every human being is precious and deserves proper treatment. We cannot use others for own purposes without violating their unique personhood. This is also why prostitution and sex trafficking are so damaging to the soul of our society and must be stopped.
Finally, because life is valuable, elective termination is wrong. We don't get to decide who lives and who dies; that is God's territory. Our lives are in God's hands. It is one thing to choose to care for the mother more than the child during pregnancy because it is a matter of life and death. Yet it is quite another thing to act to purposely take the life of another. Every human life is valuable and precious and deserves every right to flourish.
I know this gets back to some of the things I said a few weeks ago, but I feel I must keep this conversation going. What do you think? I am interested to hear your thoughts, so I invite you to share them openly or privately at joekamphuis@comcast.net.
I look forward to greater understanding and appreciation as we journey together along the way ...
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
July 22, 2013 - Along the way ...
I wonder about the ways in which God reveals Himself. I know that He reveals Himself through His Word, His world and His Spirit, and most poignantly through Jesus, but I wonder what that looks like on a day to day basis.
We are often told how important it is to read the Bible regularly, but for what purpose? If reading the Bible is just something on my daily "to do" list, or is something I do to merely confirm that which I already know, then I think we are missing the real reason for reading in the first place.
We read the Bible because in its pages we meet the living God. We see what He is like. We learn what He desires. We also hear His voice calling us to the obedience which comes from faith.
Reading the Bible is not a chore or a daily task, it is an invitation to sit at Jesus' feet and be fed, nourished, and refreshed; to be called out and sent; to join Him in His great kingdom venture; and to be reminded that my greatest identity is found in who I am in relation to Him.
But what about some of the other ways God reveals Himself to us?
In creation, we see God's power displayed, we learn about His providential care, and we wonder at the beauty of His imagination that could conjure up the diversity we experience in so many ways.
Creation reveals God to us as well. It leaves us in awe and wonder. Not so that we will worship the creation but that we will stand in awe and wonder and fall in worship at the majesty of the Creator.
God also reveals Himself through Jesus. In Jesus, we see most clearly what God is like. If we wonder how God might treat a person caught in sin, we look at Jesus. If we wonder what God might do for those we meet on the streets, who are hungry or in need, we look to Jesus. If we wonder about God's purpose for suffering and evil in the world as we experience it, we look to Jesus. Jesus shows us Who God is. In Jesus, we see God's heart and witness His being, His character, and His perfect image.
Moreover, God reveals Himself through other people. In our relationships, we see God, though imperfectly, because each of us bears God's image - some clearer than others - but God's image is visible in everyone.
I remember how God revealed Himself through a University of Maryland professor at Misawa Air Base in Japan in a Speech class. The professor was an avowed atheist, and challenged us to think critically about our faith. He sent me on a journey of discovery, which ultimately led me to a greater understanding and appreciation for Who God is. God used Dr. Ruffino in a way that Dr. Ruffino was not even aware, and God revealed His glory through a self-avowed atheist. That is the power of God!
Finally, all of God's revelation is mediated by the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the eyes of faith by which we can see what is unseen and eternal. It is the Holy Spirit who shows us Who God is, What He is like, and What great things He has done, is doing, and will continue to do. It is the Holy Spirit Who gives us hope and draws us ever closer to the living God.
So I wonder about the ways in which God reveals Himself. Do you? How does God reveal Himself to you? Can you share a time where you saw God in an unexpected way, and it brought you closer to Him? Together we can share what God is saying to each of us, and together we will see God a little more clearly, as we journey together along the way ...
We are often told how important it is to read the Bible regularly, but for what purpose? If reading the Bible is just something on my daily "to do" list, or is something I do to merely confirm that which I already know, then I think we are missing the real reason for reading in the first place.
We read the Bible because in its pages we meet the living God. We see what He is like. We learn what He desires. We also hear His voice calling us to the obedience which comes from faith.
Reading the Bible is not a chore or a daily task, it is an invitation to sit at Jesus' feet and be fed, nourished, and refreshed; to be called out and sent; to join Him in His great kingdom venture; and to be reminded that my greatest identity is found in who I am in relation to Him.
But what about some of the other ways God reveals Himself to us?
In creation, we see God's power displayed, we learn about His providential care, and we wonder at the beauty of His imagination that could conjure up the diversity we experience in so many ways.
Creation reveals God to us as well. It leaves us in awe and wonder. Not so that we will worship the creation but that we will stand in awe and wonder and fall in worship at the majesty of the Creator.
God also reveals Himself through Jesus. In Jesus, we see most clearly what God is like. If we wonder how God might treat a person caught in sin, we look at Jesus. If we wonder what God might do for those we meet on the streets, who are hungry or in need, we look to Jesus. If we wonder about God's purpose for suffering and evil in the world as we experience it, we look to Jesus. Jesus shows us Who God is. In Jesus, we see God's heart and witness His being, His character, and His perfect image.
Moreover, God reveals Himself through other people. In our relationships, we see God, though imperfectly, because each of us bears God's image - some clearer than others - but God's image is visible in everyone.
I remember how God revealed Himself through a University of Maryland professor at Misawa Air Base in Japan in a Speech class. The professor was an avowed atheist, and challenged us to think critically about our faith. He sent me on a journey of discovery, which ultimately led me to a greater understanding and appreciation for Who God is. God used Dr. Ruffino in a way that Dr. Ruffino was not even aware, and God revealed His glory through a self-avowed atheist. That is the power of God!
Finally, all of God's revelation is mediated by the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the eyes of faith by which we can see what is unseen and eternal. It is the Holy Spirit who shows us Who God is, What He is like, and What great things He has done, is doing, and will continue to do. It is the Holy Spirit Who gives us hope and draws us ever closer to the living God.
So I wonder about the ways in which God reveals Himself. Do you? How does God reveal Himself to you? Can you share a time where you saw God in an unexpected way, and it brought you closer to Him? Together we can share what God is saying to each of us, and together we will see God a little more clearly, as we journey together along the way ...
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