Out Love Each Other

I had the chance to go back home this weekend and attend a service at my former church, which was a good and relaxing thing! There was one point that really struck me as a unique way to view our relationship with God and each other.
(well, two ideas)

1: The Christian life is to be lived in mutual submission to God, and to each other. 

 2: Mutual submission is the consistent laying down of self for the good of the other. One way it can be defined as trying to "out love" each other. 

Think about that. Out-loving each other is how we are to live life. This is an amazing concept that I need to embrace more! Ephesians 5:21 simply says that we should "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ". Out of our desire to be more like Christ, out of our respect and awe of the Triune God, we are to submit to one another. We are to put the needs of others above ourselves, we are to try and out-love and out-serve one another.

What kind of world would we have if we were constantly living to make other's lives better? If we went around talking people up and lauding them behind their back? If we ran to grab doors for our spouses, if we actively sought to ease the burdens of strangers, if we took time to lend listening ears and open hearts to the people in our circles everyday?

We have a God who doesn't just ask this of us but embodies it. God consistently pours Himself out for us. His love for us is extravagant, overflowing, and beyond comprehension. Jesus came to not to be served but to serve humanity, to empower us to join His mission in our homes and neighborhoods and places of work. As we then submit to God, let's allow the idea of "out loving each other" be a frame in which we try to live.

Where can you love extravagantly this week? How can you out-love the people around you today? Where can you step in to serve others?

In order to cultivate a culture where we out-love each other, it starts with someone loving and submitting first. Be that person this week!

Comments

Post a Comment

What are your thoughts? Let me know below!

Popular posts from this blog

Patience, Patience, Patience

Image
"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" . -2 peter 3:9- My wife and I moved in June. Right now I'm in a new place, in a new position, in a new season of life. When we moved, I had a lot of grand plans and visions that I have for what things could be at my new job. But even after almost half a year it's evident that a lot of these plans are going to take a lot more time, effort, and patience than I would like to admit. God is a God of patience and timing. As you read through the Bible, you begin to see more and more that God is always working towards the restoration and reconciliation of all things. You see that Jesus is always present in a plan that unfolds over years and centuries. This song lyric from Hillsong's Seasons  exemplifies this idea so perfectly. A sequoia is one of the largest of trees, and yet takes a long time
Read more

On Getting A Cat (aka Little Steps)

Image
It's now been a couple of weeks since we moved. It has certainly been quite a ride as we are starting to settle in to new rhythms. Apparently, a new rhythm includes a cat. What a turn of events. I never thought I'd own a cat. I like cats, don't get me wrong. But I never thought I'd own one of my own. Now for anyone who doesn't know, I am decently allergic to cats.  However, over time I get used to cats and the allergies become less-I found this out with Katie's cats at home. When we went to visit the Humane Society, I could feel the allergies kicking in, my eyes watering and my throat scratching. But allergies will lessen with Rosie the more she's here! I can tell already that it's not nearly as bad as it was yesterday. But a cat brings with it new, different normals. Last night, as we all collectively adjusted to each other, was probably the worst night of sleep I've had in a while. It was hot, and she kept either meowing or jumping on the be
Read more

The Layer That Matters Most

Image
Snow came way too early this year. I was in charge of a end-of-fall bonfire on October 30th. I was expecting it to be cold, but not snowy! Lo and behold, about halfway through the night, we had the start of what would eventually turn into lots of snow over the next day and a half. I had to start to layer up before going outside, which was annoying, but worth it. The t-shirt and light hoodie I had grown accustomed to wearing in the fall wasn't going to cut it anymore. If I tried to keep doing what I was doing and wearing what I was wearing, I was going to pay the price-and soon! Colossians 3:14 tells us that "...over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity". The verse before is talking about living with kindness, compassion, humility, patience...all great and amazing things! But above all, we are to clothe ourselves with love. It's the thing that holds everything else together. It's the big cozy jacket that makes the ha
Read more