My focus on Basics leads me to the concept of 'Basic Training' I used to hear about when friends I knew enlisted. Individuals were stripped of their individual identities as much as possible to become part of the whole. They got the same haircut, same clothes, same model of glasses, shoes, etc. Fortunately our basic training doesn't seek to strip us totally of our unique individuality - - but it does strip us of the part that looks out for 'self' as our number one priority. The closer we get to Jesus, the less we prioritize our own wants and needs. When we lobby for 'what it is right' it is for the benefit of the whole, not for ourselves; and the Holy Spirit, because of God's great love, allows situations to come into our lives where we get to practice the grace and mercy that comes from emptying ourselves of self. Sometimes that exercise is painful, but it always helps us see more clearly through God's eyes.
One of the basic premises of Christian faith is considering others above ourself. It is totally contrary to what the world teaches. The world says, "Watch out for Number One. No one else will." And the world is big on individual rights and standing up for yourself.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught, "Love your enemies and pray for those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who abuse and persecute you so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:44-45 (The literal translation from the interlinear Greek-English New Testament)
In verse 48, Jesus even goes on to link that behavior as the key to being 'perfect' followers: "You must therefore be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." God loves everyone, so must we.
I will point out that this is not referring to warm, fuzzy love, but to doing what is right - - even when the other person involved doesn't deserve my fair and equitable treatment. It means taking the needs of others into consideration as equal with my own needs. It may mean that sometimes things will not be equitable to me because of deferring to someone else's need that is in direct conflict with mine. It definitely means being kind and gracious in the face of conflict. And it means praying for the one who wrongs you.
Really. Like it or not, that is a basic truth of Christian teaching. God is love. The more like him we become, the more we reflect his love. It is an aspiration that takes a lifetime to embrace and achieve.
More of HIM, less of me! And only by His grace! It's basic to being a Christian.
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