Like a good deal of Paul’s teaching this passage on sacrifice and love gets straight to the point. He provides a series of practical points for us to absorb and implement that really don’t need any further explanation.

Put others before yourself – be sacrificial – forget about what the world wants and see that your mind is transformed. Use your gifts and abilities to best effect – don’t let those gifts get the better of you.

Be sincere – hate evil – do good – honour others – be joyful – maintain your spiritual zeal – pray – share with others – be at peace with your neighbours - live in harmony and so it goes on.

Of course saying it is one thing – doing it is entirely another. I don’t know how you feel but I don’t wake up every morning bursting with love and affection for everyone I’m about to rub shoulders with. (I sometimes need coffee first!) But on those days when life isn’t all sunshine and smiles it’s good to remember what Paul teaches here; that even when we don’t feel like it this is how we’re supposed to be. More than that, remember that he begins with a reminder that we are to be sacrificial. That means that even when we’re not feeling like the good Christian folk we know we should be we are supposed to set aside our bad moods, grumpiness and despondency and put on a smile, pray a prayer, give thanks that God is still in heaven and that Jesus defeated death so that we would have the opportunity to be better for the Kingdom. Please note that the praying part makes the above a little easier to do! (The coffee may or may not help too).

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Question:

How easy or difficult do you find it to be all that we are called to be? Does this chapter help you to raise the standard a little?

Prayer:

Lord God, forgive us for the times when we haven’t managed to represent You well. Help us to grow more and more like Jesus each day. Bless our times of prayer and fill us more with Your Holy Spirit. Amen.