The Higher Order of Love
Acts 17:26 NKJ
“And He has made from ONE BLOOD every nation of men to dwell
on all the face of the earth, hand has determined their preappointed
times and the boundaries of their dwellings …”
Colossians 3:11 NCV
In the new life there is no difference between Greeks and Jews, those
who are circumcised and those who are not circumcised, or people
who are foreigners, or Scythians. There is no difference between
slaves and free people. But Christ is in all believers, and Christ is all
that is important.
“Race is mostly a social theory that was devised and refined over the
centuries to serve the economic and religious goals of a majority
culture, first in European territory, then later in America. Whiteness, it
turns out, is a very recent idea in the grand scheme of history, but it’s
a powerful one that was used to create categories and systems that
would place value, economically and otherwise, on skin color and the
groups of people who were either blessed or burdened by it. If race
could be used to indicate a group’s level of intelligence, its work ethic,
and its tendency to do wrong, then the majority culture could justify all
types of bigotries and discriminations.” — Dave Unander, Shattering
the Myth of Race: Genetic Realities and Biblical Truths
“I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish
brothers. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have
been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost
reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling
block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler
or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the WHITE MODERATE, who is more
devoted to ‘order’ than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which
is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of
justice; who constantly says: ‘I agree with you in the goal you seek
but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who
paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s
freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly
advises the Negro to wait for a ‘more convenient season.’” — Martin
Luther King Jr., Letter From a Birmingham Jail
4 Stages People Live In Concerning Other Cultures:
- Segregation: total and complete separation ruled by prejudice
- Toleration: recognition that other cultures have rights accompanied
by a silent unwillingness to move beyond that - Integration: willingness to mix together as a sign of acceptance but
an unwillingness to move off of one’s cultural stand - Reconciliation: a change of the inward heart condition that adopts
a KINGDOM mindset of doing life together
Colossians 3:10-14 NLT
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your
Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you
are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric,
uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all
of us. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must
clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility,
gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults,
and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave
you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with
love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Characteristics of the Higher Order of Love:
- Rises above offenses
Proverbs 18:19 NKJ
A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions
are like the bars of a castle.
Matthew 24:10-11 NKJ
“And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will
hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive
many.”
Offense: SKANDALON — Greek word for the trap to catch an animal
Betray: no longer defend or guard another person
Hate: no more grace for that relationship
“Offense can distort or divide a relationship that once was obvious or
ordained.” - Lives in a perpetual state of forgiveness.
Acts 24:16 NKJ
This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without
offense toward God and men.
Hebrews 12:14-15 NKJ
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will
see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of
God; lest any ROOT OF BITTERNESS springing up cause trouble,
and by this many become defiled … - Your love for God is measured by the person you love the least.
1 John 4:20-21 NIV
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For
whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen,
cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this
command: Anyone who loves god must also love their brother and
sister.
Romans 12:17-21 NIV
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the
eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at
peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave
room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will
repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed
him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will
heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but
overcome evil with good.