Secure Enough to Love
Scripture Reading — Ephesians 3:14-21
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.
About Romans 12:9-21, Harper’s Bible Commentary says, “Human relations are nourished by security, not anxiety; the issue for Paul throughout Romans has been to identify authentic security and confidence.”
The body of Christ finds security in knowing we are not our own but belong to our faithful Savior, Jesus (see Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 1). People who are focused on themselves lash out, insist on getting their way, or ignore people different from themselves. People who are secure in Christ show a relaxed, secure love.
Who are the kinds of people you find especially difficult to love? Who are the people that cause you to feel disgust, anger, frustration, pity, or fear? These are the people that, for you, are “people of low position.”
God can help you with such feelings that hamper your love. He will help you remember that you are loved to your very core through Jesus Christ. You belong to him. Your sins are forgiven. He loves you as you are. The wide, long, high, deep love of Christ surpasses knowledge, drives out fear, turns from selfishness, and associates with people of low position. Christ’s love fills his followers through the power of his Holy Spirit.
You can love without pride or fear because your security is in Christ.
God, thank you that I am not my own but belong to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you that I need not insist on my own way because I am secure in Christ. In his name, Amen.
About the author — Mark Stephenson
Rev. Mark Stephenson is the Director of Disability Concerns for the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Previously he served in two congregations in Michigan. He and his wife have four children.
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