Following Jesus and That Loving Thang

As you may have guessed by now,
  I have a THING about Agape Love...
     Not an obsession... more like a fixation...
  I believe Agape Love is the central principle
     of Jesus' Kingdom Values...
  It is at the heart of most of Jesus' teachings
     and examples of how His followers are to live in the world...

Matthew 22:34-40  The Great Commandment(s)
Luke 10:25-37        The same, with the Good Samaritan teaching that
                                 clarifies stranger and enemy as neighbor
John 13:34-35        Higher commitment to love as Jesus loved

And Paul followed suit...

I Corinthians 13   "The Love Chapter"
   This has been read at almost every wedding you have ever attended,
   although the love named is not "eros" but "Agape" love and intended
   for ALL in society to live
   "askeimoneuo" is to behave dishonestly or disgracefully, which Agape
        Love does not allow
   likewise "adeekeea" is not acceptable (injustice)

Galatians 5:16-26  "The desires of the flesh/fruit of the Spirit"
   Selfish ambition "aireethaya", envy "Fthonos", self indulgence "komos",
   immorality "poruaya", idolatry "aydololatria" and anger "thoomos" are
   not helpful to the community...
   Agape Love, joy "kara", peace "ayrainai", patience "makrothumia",
   kindness "kreistoteis", generosity "agathosunay" and meekness "prautays"
   are helpful to those in community and lifted up as what the Spirit produces
   in us when we live according to the principles of Jesus in the world around
   us...

Philippians 2:1-11  "Definition of Jesus' Agape Love"
   selfish ambition "aireethaya" is out again
   conceit "kenodockseea" is also out
   humility "tapaynofrosunay" is part of it (being humble)
   encouragement "paramootheeon"
   affection "splagknoon"
   compassion "oykteermoss"
What was in the mind of Jesus?  Himself?  No.  Us.
What are we supposed to have in mind?  Our selves?  No.  Others, just as
   Jesus had us in mind... so, we are to have the same mind... for other...

and, just for kicks...

I John 4:16-21
   If I claim to love God and don't love others, I am a liar.

These are committed actions on behalf of the other... clearly what
Jesus, Paul and the writer of I John believe are faithful behaviors
for those who follow Jesus.
So, where is  TAKE CARE OF NUMBER ONE?
                     THE POOR NEED TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES?
                     GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES?
                     I DESERVE TO KEEP ALL I HAVE FOR MYSELF?
                     WHY SHOULD I HAVE LESS SO SOMEONE ELSE CAN HAVE MORE?
                     IT'S NOT PERSONAL, ONLY BUSINESS?
                     RELIGION AND POLITICS SHOULDN'T MIX?
                     BENEFIT THE WEALTHY.  THERE WILL ALWAYS BE POOR PEOPLE.
                     ME AND JESUS, ME AND JESUS, ME AND JESUS?
                  
A person cannot follow Jesus AND do anything to hurt the poor, vulnerable or stranger in the land.
A person cannot follow Jesus AND ignore the poor, most vulnerable or stranger in the land.
A person cannot follow Jesus AND benefit a few "have's", at the expense of "have nots".
A person cannot follow Jesus AND buy goods, knowing that people are exploited or unemployed
    so that he/she can have what he/she wants and at a good price.
A person cannot follow Jesus AND blatantly lie about anyone who would help "the least of these".
A person cannot follow Jesus AND support a philosophy, ideology or leader who would hurt "the least
     of these".
A person cannot follow Jesus AND treat some with gross injustice and place others above scrutiny.
A person cannot follow Jesus AND exploit an economic or political system that unfairly benefits those
    who already have wealth and power, while keeping those without it down.
A person cannot follow Jesus AND blame the victims of such a system, while promoting it.
A person cannot follow Jesus AND pollute, destroy or waste the creation in which others live.
A person cannot follow Jesus AND live out of greed for wealth or lust for power.

A person cannot follow Jesus AND do any of those things, because that is NOT where Jesus is leading
    anyone.

Do a RADICAL THING this Lent... starting on Ash Wednesday this week and for the 40 days of Lent, read the 4 Gospels and focus on what Jesus taught and exemplified, especially His IMPERATIVE statements (do this, don't do that)... it is a SHORT read... then, read Acts and see how the 1st Century believers worked to follow what Jesus taught and exemplified... in how they were community...

It is time to deny self, take up the Cross and follow JESUS.
Pastor Jamie