Devotionals

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Listening to songs like “If We are the Body” and “Does Anybody Hear Her?” by Casting Crowns can truly convict the heart of Christians.
How do we treat others? James wrote to the first century Jewish Christians in 2:1-9 about favoritism. James does not hold back. He calls it sin in verse 9. Christians are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18, James 2:8, Matthew 5:43-48).
In the verses of ‘If We are the Body’ - “It’s crowded in worship today, … the girls’ teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know…” - gossiping - pointing fingers. Others see and hear that. It hurts them. It hurts Christ. “A traveler is far away from home… the weight of their judgmental glances tell him that his chances are better out on the road.” one question - Do our fellow Christians and visitors feel more welcome and ‘cared about’ with the church or at the local club?
Paul in Romans 15:7 tells us to accept others as Christ accepted us. We must ‘see past the scarlet letter’, past the clothes, the unwanted sin, etc. Christ accepted us. We are no different than anyone else in God’s eyes. We must show Christ. (Romans 10:14, II Corinthians 5:20, Matthew 28:19-20)
As the song says ‘Jesus paid too high a price (his life) for us to pick and choose who should come.’ what right do we have to exclude anyone - God does not want anyone to perish. (II Peter 3:9). Everyone’s name is in the book of life (Revelation 3:5). Christ blots out the names of nonbelievers. How would you feel knowing you were responsible for someone’s name being blotted out of the book of Life?
Many people around us are searching for a friend, for love, for caring. Do they receive that at the church or is all they feel is judgment? ‘If judgment looms under every steeple, if lofty glances from lofty people, can’t see past her scarlet letter and we never meet her…’
We are the body of Christ as the song says as well as I Corinthians 12:12-31. We have to reach with our arms. Reach out to those in need - the weary and burdened. A weak brother or sister who needs healing hands touching. Our feet need to be going to those in need, those who are lost. Most importantly we must show His love. Christ accepted us when we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8)
When we are truly God’s ambassadors - we are not only to share Christ with the lost but also encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24-25). When was the last time you called a fellow member who missed a service or two? When was the last time you invited a new family at the church to your home? When is the last time you sent an encouraging note to someone for no specific reason? Have you offered to baby-sit for a single mom? Or the last time you cut the widow’s grass next door or down the street?
Encouraging one another. “By our love, they will know we are His disciples.” (John 13:35) Are you really showing love - the love of Christ? (I John 3:16-18 - This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.)

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