Father, I acknowledge that tonight, as in every moment of my life, I am dependent upon You. You keep me safe, and I am gratefully encased in Your love. Amen.
Romans 15:1-13 (<<click here to read the passage)
Today’s picture is very interesting, don’t you think? I’ve never seen giraffes do this. I was searching for a picture to capture the idea of “you scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours”. I felt that concept was reflective of today’s Scripture, especially verses 1-2 and verse 7,
Now we who are strong [in our convictions and faith] ought to [patiently] put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just please ourselves. Let each one of us [make it a practice to] please his neighbor* for his good, to build him up spiritually. vs1-2 AMP
*i.e., all those with whom we have contact.
Therefore, [continue to] accept and welcome one another, just as Christ has accepted and welcomed us to the glory of [our great] God. vs7 AMP
Christ has done for us the unimaginable – the absolute greatest gift of all time, and we in turn should do to others – our neighbors or as the note in the Amplified Bible states all those with whom we have contact.
I think we all would readily agree that we in no way, shape, or form deserve anything from God. Well, except condemnation and punishment – eternal punishment. But that is not what He gave us. Instead, Jesus paid our debt through His life, suffering, and death. We owed it, He paid it. No argument. No discussion. Those are the facts.
There was no way for us to accomplish what was needed for our forgiveness. There is nothing we could do or say to deserve the grace and mercy so freely extended to anyone who sincerely seeks that forgiveness, humbly admitting and confessing our sin to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Christ has accepted and welcomed us so…we, as His followers, must [continue to] accept and welcome one another, and as verse 1 stresses,
Now we who are strong [in our convictions and faith] ought to [patiently] put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just please ourselves.
…just like Jesus did for us – We are weak, but He is strong!
Back to our interesting giraffe picture. They are not scratching each other’s back, they are fighting! This beautiful photograph, shot in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, was taken by photographer Dana Allen. These two young bucks are standing side-by-side, pushing and shoving to judge which is the strongest. They are testing the other’s prowess. They aren’t looking to help each other out – they’re both out for the girl! It’s not about those with whom they have contact…it’s all about themselves…
Lord Jesus, help us to set others above ourselves. Help us to love each other as You have loved us. You first, others second, ourselves last. Amen.
Sept 3rd, 2023, Sun, 8:34 pm
