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People love to talk about love. Nearly all religions teach something about love. Even people who consider themselves non-religious think about, talk about and celebrate love. The problem is that apart from God’s revelation, humanity often gets love wrong. There are many feelings and actions that are classified as love by the world that are not. And often, what we consider love is actually selfish. Even when we love other people, it’s often because those people please us or make us happy. But real love isn’t about us and how others make us feel. In 2 Corinthians 5:14, the Bible says that “the love of Christ controls us…” and in verse 15, it says Christ “…died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves.” Real love is not focused on self. Real love isn’t about how others make us feel but about our choice to humbly, kindly, and even sacrificially serve others.

When it comes to Christianity, what is important? There are so many ideas out there, it can be overwhelming to try and find the truth. As you do try, however, you’ll likely find some differing ideologies. Some people will place a large emphasis on various traditions that are not actually commanded in the New Testament. On the other hand, many others will agree with and accept almost anything. But let’s consider 1 Corinthians 7:19. It says, “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the commandments of God is everything.”[1]

When it comes to things not commanded by God, we encounter matters of liberty, and we should not judge one another in such matters. But when God gives commands, we no longer deal with liberty, and obedience is absolutely required. We should not draw lines concerning traditions; neither should we permit disobedience. Traditions, in the end, are nothing, whereas faithful obedience is everything.

[1] NRSV

When you see something beautiful, wonderful, or marvelous, how do you respond? Perhaps you respond with awe. Or maybe thankfulness. Or possibly praise. What about anger? If that reaction sounds strange, listen to Matthew 21:14-15: “And the blind and the lame came to [Jesus] in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ they were indignant…”

Can you imagine watching Jesus do wonderful things, like healing people and being mad? Or seeing Jesus praised and being indignant? And yet, that’s how some responded. Surely we don’t do that, do we? When we hear the Word of God, do we joyfully accept it or get angry? Do we love the Lord’s church or despise it? Do we respond to the wonderful things of God and His Word with joyful obedience or with indignation disguised in self-righteousness?

You’ve likely heard that real estate is about location, location, location. But a location’s value can change. A secluded plot becomes a busy subdivision. A new area becomes outdated. And, over time, some good neighborhoods become bad neighborhoods. In housing terms, we may be able to work to try and get into a better situation. But I have some unfortunate news—we all live in a bad neighborhood.

You see, we live in a fallen world. Everyone of us is surrounded by sinners. And we can’t pack up, sell, and move. So what can we do? We can love our neighbors. We can shine the light of Christ. We can realize that we, too, are sinners and thus lovingly extend grace to others as we have received grace. We’re all in the same fallen neighborhood. So what will we do to share the light of Christ and make the neighborhood a better place?

Leviticus 16 describes the detailed activities of the Day of Atonement. In verse 17, the Bible says this about Aaron’s activity that day: “No one may be in the tent of meeting from the time he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place until he comes out and has made atonement for himself and for his house and for all the assembly of Israel.”

We are not Levitical priests, but consider the work Aaron did. First, he made atonement for himself. Then, for his family. Then, for the nation. Today, our first job is to ensure we are faithfully serving the Lord. But we shouldn’t be content just to take care of our own soul. We should seek to help others serve the Lord. The best place to start is with our family. From there, we can also seek to help friends, and we can help encourage and build up the church.

King David wasn’t allowed to build the Temple, but he was allowed to help prepare for its construction. David planned and worked so that when his son Solomon became King, he would have a head start on building the Lord’s temple. But for all of David’s preparation, it would still require Solomon’s work.

In 1 Chronicles 22:14, David told his son, “With great pains I have provided for the house of the Lord 100,000 talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone, too, I have provided. To these you must add.” Those final words are important: “To these you must add.”

As parents, we should do everything possible to equip our children to follow the Lord. But ultimately, it must be their choice to do so. Also, we cannot simply ride the coattails of our parents’ faith. We must add to their faith and do our part to honor and serve God.

How do you want to be loved? Would you prefer your closest loved ones and friends to love you in an ordinary way? Or would you prefer extraordinary love? Surely, we would like something beyond the humdrum and ordinary in our friendships, relationships, and love. Or would we? Extraordinary love is challenging to give, but it’s also challenging to receive.

In 2 Corinthians 2:4, the Apostle Paul explains the purpose of his prior letter, which was filled with rebuke. He says, “That letter I sent you came out of great distress and anxiety; how many tears I shed as I wrote it! Not because I wanted to cause you pain; rather I wanted you to know the love, the more than ordinary love, that I have for you.”[1] Paul’s love wasn’t content with overlooking sin to maintain peace. He loved enough to rebuke. Do we love so fervently? Do we love one another enough to rebuke and be rebuked? Is our love more than ordinary?

[1] REB