A short reflection question from watching The End of Poverty(2008)

Supposing that one day you head to the mountains and when you get back your land, everything you own is gone. Then there is an alien that says that for you to work for him, you will get food but will be in debt for 999 years. Everyone in the community has suffered or will suffer the same fate as you. What would be your response?

James 2:1-9 (NIV)
“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'Here’s a good seat for you,' but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”

Some thoughts on Love in a Godly context

Love is a process of continually edifying yourself as well as others, much of which requires experience. Such is the purpose for God to put us in this world to lear and practise love, for he is love. When you love, you will enjoy everything as it is ordained by God. From personal thoughts, to social interaction, and even emotional-physical moments will be blessed. But in this world there would exist void of love as well, twisting the meaning of the word, as people do not align themselves to God due to the presence and choice of sin. Such unloving actions as defined by God himself, from spreading false teachings, to sexual immorality, and murder. Think of the moral law - the ten commandments. Such are basic things, but still they come from two most important laws as confirmed by Jesus.

God's call is to LOVE in his way. Read His word. Understand, and gain wisdom through acting for and in His Living Name. Amen.

Matthew 22:36-40
Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”