Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Exception to the Rule

"I didn't know there were Christians that really care. That really love you," a young man said after being encouraged and prayed for by his new small group.

"You know, you give a prayer request, but you never expect anyone to really do anything to help you," a young woman responded when helped out after visiting a Sunday school class and giving a prayer request regarding her housing situation.

When I first heard these 2 statements (2 different people, 2 different situation, 2 different times) I was moved. But now I am plain disturbed. When did acting like Christ become the exception to the rule?

If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.


Philippians 2:1-4 (The Message)