The African Forum on Religion and Government (AFReG) calls on all Christians to increase our prayers as a faith community dialoguing on “African Identity, Dignity and Justice in the 21st Century.” This Tuesday, September 8th, 2020, our theme is “Love/Other Mindedness”.
“Let brotherly love continue.”
In the midst of challenging times where society is straining along several lines including race, ethnicity, economics and gender, this must remain the clarion call for all who have experienced the saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Love is the thing that detonates injustice, provides an environment for the emergence of true identity and sets the stage for true human dignity. Without love, there cannot be true acceptance of another in the way that enables them to function independently, uniquely and creatively as the God of all creation intended. Love covers a multitude of sin so that even when we walk in the brokenness of our past, we can be accepted and can accept others.
Love declares its intent at the beginning. No matter the odds against it, it pushes through to make a way, to stand with, and to give to, so nothing is missing and nothing is lacking. In the story of the good Samaritan, there wasn’t a question of whether the Samaritan would intervene or not. He made it happen—across racial lines, across economic lines, with no thought of risk to himself, expense or inconvenience. He did whatever was necessary to ensure the restoration of another. He took his time, used his resources and committed himself the full extent to ensure the recipient of his love was fully restored. In the same way, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. His love drove Him to a total commitment to redeem and save to the utmost so that we would be fully recovered and able to share this love with others.
We who are recipients of this amazing love that surpasses knowledge; must then walk in this love that is wide, long, deep and high so that we are filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. This way, we will represent Him well. The world needs men and women; citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, who are so persuaded along these lines that they walk in true justice and righteousness. No wonder the Bible says—“By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus thank you for your unfailing and unchanging love toward us. Your love and mercies are renewed toward us every morning and your faithfulness is great.
Forgive us for how we have not represented you well when we have walked in selfishness, injustice, discrimination and other vices that are foreign to you. Enable us to love one another as you have loved us. Lead us to where we see one another with your eyes of love and be willing to lay down our lives for one another.
We submit to the authority of your Spirit in us so that He can work in us to will and do your good pleasure. Transform us daily so that we can walk as Jesus Christ did on earth displaying the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.