How Should We Act?
By: Kristen L. McNulty
Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.
So often we ask ourselves the big questions like what should we do?
Should we go to this school or that one?
Should we take this job or stay in our current one?
Should we stay in this town or move to another one?
A Calling To Be Lived Out 24/7/365
And while I'm not dismissing the importance of big decisions like these, I'm afraid all too often we spend so much time thinking about what we should do that we stop thinking about how we should act. Asking ourselves and knowing how we should act in any and all situations is more important than “what should we do?” in many ways because the answer doesn't depend on our circumstances, our position or where we are located. How we should act is a calling on all of our lives that needs to be lived out 24/7/365.
So when we take the question of "how should we act?" and we look to God's Word, we find this is the answer: love.
The Bible tells us it doesn't matter if we are talking to a friend or an enemy, we love (Matthew 5:44).
The Word tells us it doesn't matter what our mood is like, we love (1 Corinthians 16:14).
It shows us it doesn't matter if those around us are wrong or right, we still love (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).
Love.
Romans 13:8-10 puts it this way:
"Owe nothing to anyone-except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law. For the commandments say, 'You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.' These-and other such commandments-are summed up in this one commandment: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God's law." Romans 13:8-10
Love, Yes, Love
Love fulfills the requirements of God's law. Isn't that incredible? These verses show us we don't have to wait for advice before showing love or ask God if He wants us to love this person or that person, we already know what His answer will be: love, yes, love.
It would be a shame if our search for answers to questions surrounding our own lives in any way overshadows the call to love that God has placed on each and every one of our lives. It's a call that doesn't depend on our mood or circumstances, but absolutely depends on following the One who showed us what true love is: Jesus. And it's a call that is vital to embrace here and now because as the next verse in this chapter of scripture teaches us, our time to carry out this calling is running out. Let's pick up at verse 11 where it reads:
"This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." Romans 13:11
Time Is Running Out
However many days have passed between now and when you first believed is how many days less you now have to live the way God is calling you. And while we can't change what we did yesterday and the day before and correct any missed opportunities, we can make a choice right here and right now not to let one more day pass us by that isn't packed to the brim with loving God and loving each and every single person we come into contact with.
"Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." Romans 12:9-10
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