"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." - Paul
Love to lose = love in a way that leads to your losing.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James
Love to lose = enjoy losing.
Jesus started a revolution of losers
"But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." - Jesus
Love is the answer, but what exactly is love?
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." - Jesus
Love to lose = love in a way that leads to your losing.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James
Love to lose = enjoy losing.
Jesus started a revolution of losers
"But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." - Jesus
Jesus was a loser. An all-powerful, all-knowing, righteous God, who created everything, came down to this earth to live as a man. Not only as a man, but a poor man. Not only as a poor man, but a persecuted man. Not only a persecuted man, but a man who was willing to die on the cross - not for His friends, but for His enemies. He sacrificed Himself fully, giving His life for those who consistently opposed Him. He was willing to lose because He loved us, and He called us to be losers like Him.
Jesus gathered up a group of people whose values stretched across the social spectrum, ranging from poor fishermen to rich politicians to religious zealots. This movement He created is far greater than anything we've seen in human history, not in wealth or power, but in its ability to change hearts. Not only has Christianity become a worldwide phenomenon, but I believe it has lifted up the standard of living wherever it is practiced faithfully. This kingdom of God is far different and far more radical than any other organization, movement, philosophy, or religion that's come before or after. In fact, I believe Jesus didn't establish a religion at all but instead came to restore relationships - our relationship with our Creator and our relationship with each other. This revolution has no official name, no symbol or flag, no sacred city, no hierarchy of power (Christ is our only head), no special places of worship, no designated diet, clothing, rituals, or festivals, and a simplicity of law that starts with loving God and loving others. The story of God's love, Jesus' sacrifice, and the hope we have of eternal peace and joy is far more powerful than any idea man can come up with. This radical, self-sacrificing love that Jesus shows us is the only thing that has truly lasted the test of time and has shown to be the only absolute we can count on.
Jesus gathered up a group of people whose values stretched across the social spectrum, ranging from poor fishermen to rich politicians to religious zealots. This movement He created is far greater than anything we've seen in human history, not in wealth or power, but in its ability to change hearts. Not only has Christianity become a worldwide phenomenon, but I believe it has lifted up the standard of living wherever it is practiced faithfully. This kingdom of God is far different and far more radical than any other organization, movement, philosophy, or religion that's come before or after. In fact, I believe Jesus didn't establish a religion at all but instead came to restore relationships - our relationship with our Creator and our relationship with each other. This revolution has no official name, no symbol or flag, no sacred city, no hierarchy of power (Christ is our only head), no special places of worship, no designated diet, clothing, rituals, or festivals, and a simplicity of law that starts with loving God and loving others. The story of God's love, Jesus' sacrifice, and the hope we have of eternal peace and joy is far more powerful than any idea man can come up with. This radical, self-sacrificing love that Jesus shows us is the only thing that has truly lasted the test of time and has shown to be the only absolute we can count on.
Love is the answer, but what exactly is love?
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." - Jesus
Love, in our modern world, has been represented in so many different ways, but I believe Jesus had a very clear concept in mind when He calls His followers to love each other. He calls us to agape love; a self-sacrificing, all-encompassing, giving of ourselves. Love is action. Love is a willingness to give yourself to someone else. To love is to lose. In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he gives a list of what love is - patient, kind, not envious, not boastful or proud, honoring, selfless, slow to anger, forgiving, rejecting of evil, rejoicing in truth, always protecting, always trusting, always hopeful, and persevering. Love never fails because love is the only correct way to respond to any situation. It is not a passive "be nice to others", but a giving of our possessions, time, and life. John, who was Jesus' closest disciple and friend, explains this best when he said, "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 and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." Jesus made it very clear what love required of us and showed it by sacrificing himself on a cross. This is why He warns us to count the cost before following Him - it won't only take your money and time, but your life.
Are we willing to lose?
“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” - Jesus
All of this is much easier said than done. So many of us, especially us Americans, struggle to allow others to take advantage of us or get ahead of us. Modern psychology puts a lot of emphasis on putting up and keeping healthy boundaries. If we are to lay our lives down for others, then what boundaries are acceptable? If we are to love our enemies, then who is left to hate? When someone steals our jacket, we are to give our shirts, as well. When we are asked to go a mile, we are called to go two. This is so hard to do. I find myself defending myself and my own interests constantly. Imagine the powerful testimony of giving more to those who steal from us. The Truth will be the Truth with or without me arguing my points. Do I put my relationships with others before my ability to win an argument? We should be far more interested in serving others and showing love than being "right" or "defenders of Truth". The Truth is love, and love calls us to place others above ourselves.
We see the first-century church selling their possessions to make sure none of them had need, yet today we worry about our budget and our own bottom line. We can't serve two masters - either we serve God or we serve money. As Americans, our capitalist, independent, self-serving attitudes are in direct conflict with our call to deny ourselves. The rich young ruler who came to Jesus had followed all the commandments but was lacking one thing - the willingness to sell his possessions to serve others. Yet, I see Christians concerned with being good stewards or saving money. Was the first-century church good stewards of their money? I would argue that in the eyes of God, and His call for agape love, they were. They weren't worried about what they would wear or where their food would come from. They had complete trust in God and shared His self-sacrificing love with each other.
Sin and forgiveness
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the alter and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the alter. First, go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." - Jesus
Sin is missing the mark. The mark is the perfect love of Jesus. Anything we do that doesn't show that kind of love is sin. We're all sinners. No one can say they've loved perfectly. Everyone is guilty in front of God. This realization equalizes us all, leaving us all in need of a savior and His grace. Is there anyone not needing forgiveness? Is there anyone Jesus didn't die for? How can any of us act as judge, showing favoritism towards one group or individual? Hasn't God shown us the true nature of forgiveness - the giving up of any claim of punishment and restoring a relationship with someone that doesn't deserve the outstretched hand? Why do so many in the church still act like some are more deserving of love than others? How did we forget the grace we've been shown? Imagine a world where we all recognize our equality and choose to place others' interests above our own? Imagine a world where we are all humble enough to realize that we don't have all the answers, but continue to show a self-sacrificing love. This is the revolution I see Jesus establishing, and this is the revolution I hope to be a part of. Part of being finite is understanding our weakness, our sin, and our undeniable need for forgiveness.
Are we willing to lose on Social Media? Are we willing to lose in politics? Are we willing to lose the argument? Are we willing to lose our pride? Are we willing to admit our weakness? Are we willing to forgive? Are we willing to deny ourselves and place others above us? For me, my only hope is Jesus and HIS love. Praise God He was willing to lose for me. May I also love to lose.
Are we willing to lose?
“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” - Jesus
All of this is much easier said than done. So many of us, especially us Americans, struggle to allow others to take advantage of us or get ahead of us. Modern psychology puts a lot of emphasis on putting up and keeping healthy boundaries. If we are to lay our lives down for others, then what boundaries are acceptable? If we are to love our enemies, then who is left to hate? When someone steals our jacket, we are to give our shirts, as well. When we are asked to go a mile, we are called to go two. This is so hard to do. I find myself defending myself and my own interests constantly. Imagine the powerful testimony of giving more to those who steal from us. The Truth will be the Truth with or without me arguing my points. Do I put my relationships with others before my ability to win an argument? We should be far more interested in serving others and showing love than being "right" or "defenders of Truth". The Truth is love, and love calls us to place others above ourselves.
We see the first-century church selling their possessions to make sure none of them had need, yet today we worry about our budget and our own bottom line. We can't serve two masters - either we serve God or we serve money. As Americans, our capitalist, independent, self-serving attitudes are in direct conflict with our call to deny ourselves. The rich young ruler who came to Jesus had followed all the commandments but was lacking one thing - the willingness to sell his possessions to serve others. Yet, I see Christians concerned with being good stewards or saving money. Was the first-century church good stewards of their money? I would argue that in the eyes of God, and His call for agape love, they were. They weren't worried about what they would wear or where their food would come from. They had complete trust in God and shared His self-sacrificing love with each other.
Sin and forgiveness
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the alter and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the alter. First, go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." - Jesus
Sin is missing the mark. The mark is the perfect love of Jesus. Anything we do that doesn't show that kind of love is sin. We're all sinners. No one can say they've loved perfectly. Everyone is guilty in front of God. This realization equalizes us all, leaving us all in need of a savior and His grace. Is there anyone not needing forgiveness? Is there anyone Jesus didn't die for? How can any of us act as judge, showing favoritism towards one group or individual? Hasn't God shown us the true nature of forgiveness - the giving up of any claim of punishment and restoring a relationship with someone that doesn't deserve the outstretched hand? Why do so many in the church still act like some are more deserving of love than others? How did we forget the grace we've been shown? Imagine a world where we all recognize our equality and choose to place others' interests above our own? Imagine a world where we are all humble enough to realize that we don't have all the answers, but continue to show a self-sacrificing love. This is the revolution I see Jesus establishing, and this is the revolution I hope to be a part of. Part of being finite is understanding our weakness, our sin, and our undeniable need for forgiveness.
Are we willing to lose on Social Media? Are we willing to lose in politics? Are we willing to lose the argument? Are we willing to lose our pride? Are we willing to admit our weakness? Are we willing to forgive? Are we willing to deny ourselves and place others above us? For me, my only hope is Jesus and HIS love. Praise God He was willing to lose for me. May I also love to lose.