Sizing Up Those Around Us

We tend to size people up by using ourselves as the standard for doing so, whether it be our morals, our sense of humor, hairstyles that we like, or our opinion of someone's physical attractiveness. Even if we have low opinions of ourselves, we typically still do this.

This allows us to group together with people with common interests, and can facilitate a learning and growing process. As Christ-followers, though, it enables us to keep people at arms' length and will often unconsciously prevent us from unconditional love (a wonderful buzz-phrase, but I sometimes wonder if it's become mostly meaningless to us). I've noticed that we in the Church often have a tough time loving one another. If my observations are accurate, how in the dickens can we be prepared to love those who aren't Christ-followers?

Putting self aside is a mammoth task.

"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

"Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too."

Philippians 2:1-4 (NLT)

I encourage you to go read the whole chapter.

Posted in: Christianity, Love