Love each other

Intro

Good morning. Intro.

So this is my first time to Iraq and it is quite interesting being here. It is definitely different than Camp Buehring and PSAB. I mean the weather is pretty much the same, and the surroundings, and the dirt. But it’s the people that make the biggest difference. It’s funny how people can be doing the same thing, the same job, but in different places and have extremely different outlooks on everything. As I am trying to battlefield circulate, I see the differences that soldiers have on their deployment and how they are dealing with the deployment. I find something very interesting is that Camp Buehring has more amenities, more outings, more of everything, but people there are miserable. Now I’m not saying everyone is miserable there, but as a majority I have receive more counseling’s and complaints there. I was thinking about that this past week and when I landed here I heard a soldier make a comment and a light turned on. This soldiers mentioned it was nice to see different people in the unit. It’s like a family reunion and it brings happiness. I took it as a compliment, but I really got to thinking about family and friends.

Since we are coming up to the holidays we usually have family over or there are road trips to go see family, etc etc etc. But I have an example from my family. Since I live about 3 hours from our family we typically always travel there to see everyone and we try to stay a week or so there. It goes without fail that we first get there and everything is happy. There’s reunion, there’s shared memories, there’s recalling great times, but within a few days someone usually says or does something hurtful and it brings all the pain again. Then there’s the dreadful 3 hr road trip back home with my wife venting to me of all the negativity the family did. Every time we travel it’s the same process and it’s the same repetitive routine.

That’s what I started mediating on and it makes me think. We do this to our own blood families, and I see that we do this to our spiritual families too. How we hurt our church family and cause pain within our own church family. Which brings me to today’s reading. Philippians 2:1-If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. 3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. [1]

In this letter Paul is trying to tell the church to stop fighting each other and to start unifying together to create a strong unity. This is no different in today’s culture. I think it is especially true in today’s world of divisions being created within ourselves. We live in a dog-eat-dog world and this is especially true in the Army. Since Basic Training, I’ve always been told that “you are in control of your own career.” Or the motto of Army of One. When I was a young PV2 my Drill Sergeants always told us that we were worth more than a McDonalds burger flipper job. Since we graduated Bootcamp, we were expected to have higher standards. We should fight tirelessly for the next higher position or better paying job. We should always try to get the best job out there because we came from the best bootcamp. Already at a young age I was being groomed to think for only myself. That I should be better than any civilian. I was to back stab anyone that got into my way and I was only out to get what I wanted. It’s sad that I was taught this back in 2001 and 2002, because it is still true today. People have lost manners and they are only thinking for their selves. I’m pretty sure that we all have been told that we are better, that we all should shoot for the stars, we all should fight for our cause. Now I’m not saying you shouldn’t better yourselves, but I ask where does Jesus come into this plan?

Are you fighting for a better job to get more money? What if God is trying to prevent you from having more debt? Are you trying to get a job at a different company? What if God is wanting you part of the revival that is about to happen? Are we trying to get ahead of everyone else to be better than everyone one else? Where are you shining God’s love in this plan?

I have been know that when I decide on something, I hyper focus on that goal and not realize the collateral damage I am doing. I remembered I had this job promotion at work. My boss told me I would be the best applicant, and I wanted to promote to Captain in the police department. I was out to becoming the fastest promoting guy and I wanted Captain instantly. Well this promotion put me on track to start moving up the food chain, but I had to move from Southern California to Las Vegas. So I decided to apply…..then I tried to convince my wife. When I got the job, I was so pumped and instantly wanted to get to the new position. It was great that I took the promotion, but what I failed to realize was I just bought a house less than 6 months prior, I literally just completed our first born’s room, my wife was surrounded by neighbors that loved us, she was about to give birth to my second child, and we had a church that had decided to put us in the path of ministry. I didn’t see any of that. I saw a promotion and selfishness. I only put my own interests ahead and didn't care for anyone else. I didn’t take into God’s intentions and I definteley didn’t consult with him. We moved to Las Vegas and we were miserable and I regretted it. I never considered of placing God into my plans. I never once considered of placing my wife as part of my plan, all I considered was about my career. So I ask any of you, if this is you how are you treating your spouse or loved one with Jesus’ love. How are you creating a unified church family in selfishness?

When people come together there’s always going to be differences. Everyone understands that. Everyone has their interpretation of their opinions, and if you don’t understand that get a group of pastors in a room and ask what is the best English translation of the bible. You will probably start a war. But differences should be valued and accepted. Unfortunately, in this modern world if you don’t have the same ideas as each other then it becomes a vicious war. Just look at the previous election. Either I haven’t been part of politics, or maybe I was too naïve, but this last election was terrifying. I lost friendships because I voted for a different party. I had friends that I grew up with since the second grade who refuse to talk to me to this day. I have seen my home church become extremely divide based on a mask mandate. Christians, believers, part of the church body have shown extremely dark hatred based on wearing a piece of cloth on your face. This is the same body of believers that have been commanded to come together in peace and unity. We have turned our fighting that enemy toward each other and our churches have become divided. But if you think that this is a new thing, your wrong. The church has been divided for centuries and Paul even talks about it in 1 Cor 1:10-12:

10 Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. 11 For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by members of Chloe’s household, that there is rivalry among you. 12 What I am saying is this: Each of you says, “I’m with Paul,” or “I’m with Apollos,” or “I’m with Cephas,” or “I’m with Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? [2]

Christ even warned about a divide house or a divide family Matt 12:25 “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.”

I believe Paul saw this issue during the early church ages and he knew what happened to Israel during the Old Testaments. When Israel formed together they destroyed kingdoms, but once they divide between Israel and Judah it crumbled. Our church family is the same. Paul urges us to come together in the name of Jesus, following the same Holy Spirit, and placing God first. We shouldn’t worry ourselves about politics, diseases, or you do Facebook or Instagram, or any other worldly things, but we are to fill our hearts with God’s joy. We are to support each other and praise with each other. We are to show each other the Love that God had to us. However, when we get our emotions involved and when we get offended our natural instinct is to retaliated or try to to have the other party feel the pain that was caused to us. Now I’m not saying that we aren’t going to get hurt or that we aren’t going to cause hurt to someone else. It’s going to happen. Heck I’ve been hurt. I’ve been betrayed and gotten hurt from other Chaplains. It’s going to happen, but we have to remember that the hurt isn’t coming from the person. The pain that someone is trying to cause is the fallen person. It’s the sin that lives inside their hearts. Even famous people who are known for their love have pain that lives inside them. Here’s an excerpt from a diary of a famous person.

“The torture and pain I can’t explain.” From my childhood I have had a most tender love for Jesus..but this too has gone.—I feel nothing before Jesus…You see, Father, the contradiction in my life. I long for God—I want to love Him—to love Him much…and yet there is but pain—longing and love.” -Mother Theresa

When someone causes emotional pain to another it cuts deeper than a phsyical cut because it goes as deep as the heart. Emotional pain leave scars that we cannot see. When we get attacked we want to defend and attack back to stop the pain, but unfortunatley it turns into a never ending cycle. This was the Devils plan. This was designed to cause disruption into our relationships with God. If we attack someone else, then how are we to doing this in God’s love? If we are wounded from these attacks, then how do we feel God’s love? This is especially true with someone we trust. It breaks the relationship that we have with God. It causes us to turn our attention to each other and become a part of this endless cycle.

This pain and hurt that has snuck into our lives is the sin that has crept into humanity when Adam and Eve ate the fruit. It is a way for the Devil to divide us. To try to seperate us. It is the darkness that lives in all of us, but there is a remedy. God showed us the remedy of this pain and suffering. God has created a physical manifestation of his love for us. You see Jesus is the way out of darkness. Jesus brought light into our lives. With his sacrifice we can have the Holy Spirit living inside of us and break the cycle. It’s the whole saying “two wrongs don’t make a right.” Instead, when you get hurt or when our church body is becoming divided it is love that is the glue. We are to love God with all of our heart, all of our soul, and all of our mind. If we have this love, then we will love our neighbors. This love is still caring for the other person and being there when they are needed. It’s the same love that God had for us when we were enemies of Him. Even though we caused war with God, he had unconditional love for us. Then if we are to be imitators of Christ, then we are to put on the robe of love and to cast this love out to everyone we encounter. It’s placing Christ first in our plans, it placing Christ first in our thoughts, its placing Christ first in everything that we do. It’s actually living Col 3:12-14 “12 Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. 14 Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity.

Its stopping the cycle and whenever you see hurt, you love. Whenever your offended come back humbly and you love. When ever someone hurts you, you love back. It’s stopping the vicious cycle of your hurt then you have to hurt someone else. One of the hardest things that I continually have to do is to tell my wife that I am sorry. When we argue, I’m what you call a closer. Whenever I get into an argument, I go straight to the jugular and end the fight. Unfortunately, I have been know to do that to my wife and it hurts her. The hardest thing that I have found to mend relationships is falling on your own sword and humble yourselves. Its admitting that your wrong and coming back to ask for forgiveness. Don’t worry to much about my wife, her response is usually I know your wrong..I’ve been telling you. Just like you load the dishwasher wrong.

Instead realize that it is the sin that lives in their heart. It’s the evil one that places the darkness inside your heart. It’s the piece of hell that is inside your heart and you are to cast out that with God’s life and God’s love. In short, you are to love the hell out of everybody. You are to shower them with so much love that the darkness inside of this is pushed out of their hearts. It’s the acts of love that mend relationships. It’s the receiving negativity and reversing it with love. It’s embracing our family together and holding steadfast through the storm called life. We are the church and our battle is with the devil, not with each other.

During seminary class that was taught by Professor Smith, who was known for his elaborate object lessons. One day the class walked into the classroom to find a large target placed on the wall, with several darts resting on a nearby table. Professor Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone they disliked or someone who had made them angry—and he would allow them to throw darts at the person’s picture. Many drew pictures of people who hurt them, or ex boyfriends or girlfriends, family member etc. But one person drew Professor Smith. After all the pictures were hung on the target the class lined up and began throwing darts amidst much laughter. Some of the students threw with such force that they ripped apart their targets. After a bit Professor Smith asked the students to return to their seats so he could begin his lecture and started removing the pictures from the wall

Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled image of their Savior—holes and jagged marks covered his face. His eyes were virtually pierced out.

Professor Smith said only these words, “Whatever you did to one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did to Me”

So break the cycle of hurt. Break the cycle and love. Treat others as your family and love each other. Support each other and lets come together as one body.

I ask that we all come together as a family and remember what Jesus did for us. to put down the darts and lift up our hands to the cross. To strive for the love that Jesus had to us. The love that was pinned to the cross and covered my sins. The love that will let me bask in God’s glory for all eternity.