Lewis Memorial

07-12-09

"Marks of the True Christian"

Romans 12: 9-18

Changing clothes is something most people do every day. I live in a house of girls so changing clothes happens multiple times a day. Changing the television happens all the time. Changing light bulbs seems to happen every other week around my house. Changing your mind may be a little less frequent as we get set in our ways as we get older. Changing your opinion about something is even harder. Changing who or what you are is almost impossible for some people.

But we know, as followers of Jesus Christ, that everything is possible with God! People can be changed by the power and love of God Almighty! Hearts, souls, and minds can be changed because of the sacrifice and love of Jesus Christ! Paul understood about an inner change very well........

Look with me at Psalm 51: 10. King David knew about change and God's mercy as well as anyone...... Psalm 51 says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." We can be changed, deep within, by the grace of God! And when that change takes place it is obvious for all to see because God has left His mark on us.

Society tends to categorize people in many different ways and one of those ways is by the mark that we leave on others. What kind of mark have you left on your children, your grandchildren, and other family members? What kind of mark have you left on those you have worked with, in your neighborhood, and in your church? To answer these questions you may have to take a closer look at yourself and consider how you measure up as a man or woman or child of God.

For Him, a contemporary music Christian group, has a song that talks about the measure of a man, "The measure of a man is not how tall he stands, how wealthy or intelligent you are! The measure of a man - God knows and understands for He looks inside to the bottom of your heart, because what's in the heart defines the measure of a man!"

The measure of any man, any woman, or any child of God is that of love! The Apostle Paul reminds us of that this morning in our scripture reading in Romans. Look at that again with me for a little while. Paul wrote several things that he believes every Christian should strive to do in Romans 12:9-10. Paul mentioned around 20 things that are the marks of a true Christian. We're going to look at all of these over the next 3 Sundays. Today we are going to concentrate on verses 9 and 10 in this 12th chapter of Romans. Let's look at those verses again. Romans 12: 9-10, " Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor."

Eugene Peterson is a pastor, scholar, writer, and poet and he wrote a version of the Bible for today's language called The Message. Listen to how he interpreted these verses. "Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle."

We know that love is the central theme of the Bible, especially the New Testament because of Jesus. But have you ever thought of loving in these terms? Let love be genuine! Or, as Peterson puts it, love from the center of who you are - don't fake it! There are few things worse than someone who is not genuine in showing love to others - and it shows........!

I love how Peterson translated Paul as saying that we should run for dear life from evil and hold on for dear life to good! If you are in a bad situation because of the crowd you hang out with then run for your life! If you know that the people you associate yourself with are negative and talk evil about others and are not about God's business then run for your life! Paul says in these kinds of situations that we are to hold on for dear life to what is good.

Jesus said that the light will outshine the dark every time and we need to put ourselves in well lit areas in every aspect of our life. By loving others in the same attitude and in the same effort that Jesus loved us and allowing others to love us then we can let the light of Jesus shine through us!

So Paul tells us that we are to be genuine in our love; don't fake it! Run away from evil as if you were running for your life! And hold on for dear life to all the good that is around you. Then Paul says that we are to love one another with mutual affection, or as Peterson puts it - be good friends who love deeply! Mutual affection? That may not always be an easy thing to do. What if we don't see eye to eye or what if we just don't get along with someone? He didn't say we are to agree with everything or even like everyone, but be respectful and love others because God first loved you - in spite of your failures and sins!

I think Paul may have been a competitive person. We know from his letters that he was a proud man and I think he knew his readers pretty well. They too may have had a competitive side so Paul told them that if they were going to try to outdo one other do so in love! Paul wrote, "Outdo one another in showing honor." The CEV of the Bible put it this way, "Honor others more than you honor yourself."

How can we do that? How can we honor, cherish, and love others more than we honor and love ourselves? Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, body, and strength. And then what did He say? "Love your neighbor as yourself!"

When we put God first, others second, and ourselves third then we are able to love as God has loved us. When we think about how our words and/or actions might effect others instead of just thinking about ourselves then we will do the right thing and in doing so God will be honored!

Peterson put it this way, "Practice playing second fiddle." That is really hard for some folks! You may have heard people say things like, "I don't play 2nd fiddle to anyone!" Or, "I'm taking care of number one!" Or, "Every man for himself!" But Jesus taught us and Paul reminds us that God and others come first and we are to genuinely love as we have been loved.

Someone or several someone's have made a lasting mark upon you and your life. They have shown you agape love with no strings attached and have loved you even when you may not have deserved it.

You have been taught right from wrong and good and evil and how you need to live your life for Christ. You have been told to treat others as you would want them to treat you. We have many different people to thank for the positive marks they have left on our lives.

But what about you? What positive marks have you left on others? Has your journey helped to lead others to Christ? Even in your dark moments, have you come through on the other side praising God for His love, forgiveness, and grace? If not, then it's not too late! As long as we have breath we have a chance to leave a loving and lasting mark on those around us. Don't give up!

"Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle." These are just a few of the marks of a true Christian. Leave your mark starting today.