Becoming a new person--that's what this whole chapter is about--being transformed. We are born selfish. Think about it. A newborn baby knows only how to care about having their own needs met--I'm hungry, my diaper is wet, I want to be held, I need to sleep--and they only know how to make sure we want to meet those needs! As a toddler, we had to be taught to share. It didn't come naturally. My...my...my. We learned that word early. I could go through each stage of life, but you've been there and you get the picture.
When we come to faith in Christ, we are born again--not physically, but spiritually and we need to learn a whole new way of thinking, talking, acting. We're spiritual babies. So, while this thought--to love each other with genuine affection or as another translations puts it--be devoted to one another in love seems simplistic it is really part of that baby-steps learning. Before coming to Christ I might have been a nice person, but the me inside is still wanting my needs and wants met. After coming to Christ I am still a nice person and the me inside still wants my needs and wants met.
Here's where the transformation comes in. When I come to Christ, I get to make the choice to continue in my pre-Christ desires or I can choose to identify with Him in His servanthood and His sacrifice. He taught His disciples by example. When they came in after walking on dusty roads a servant would wash their feet--it was a common courtesy. Jesus came to an important crossroads with His followers where He was going to be leaving them to carry on the message of God's salvation. He had them prepare a special meal and as they gathered He placed a towel around His waist and got down to wash their feet. They were appalled! Peter said to Him, "No way, Lord, You're not washing my feet!" Jesus said to him, "If I don't wash your feet you have no part in this ministry with me." There is a lot more depth than this in this whole scenario, but in a nutshell, Jesus let them know that if He, their Lord and Savior was going to serve them in this very humble way that they should be willing to do much more for those they would be leading. Thus comes this whole mind transformation thing.
So, today's mind transformation: Love one another with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. We didn't even touch on taking delight in honoring another...maybe we'll leave that for another day. Who will you choose to love with genuine affection today? Don't be too easy on yourself, remember it's supposed to be a transformation. That cuddly baby who's just had a bath and smells all lotiony won't be difficult to love with genuine affection, but how about that neighbor who is continually an annoyance to you? How about that co-worker who doesn't understand they're there to work? How about that __________________ (you fill in the blank)?
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