Cutting Carnality like Jealousy

Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

This is a great piece of advice but very few exercise this in the world we live in today. We can do just the opposite by weeping when others rejoice and rejoice when others weep. Especially the jealous heart is one that will do this. When good things happen to a neighbor, we can end up feeling very sad! Our ‘get ahead no matter what society’ tells us that we are inadequate when a neighbor gets nicer car or a bigger pay check or just seems to be doing better.

But the Bible offers different advice to cut this impurity from our hearts. It says to truly rejoice when with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. Can you think of a stunning example of this in the Bible? The first example that comes to my head is from John 11:35 which is the shortest verse in the good book, "Jesus Wept." This was when his good friend Lazarus died.

What is even more interesting is that Jesus didn’t offer shallow praise in this sitation. He didn’t say, "Praise the Lord," or "Hallelujah," or "Amen." He wasn’t this heartless. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we should stop giving God praise. It all depends on the appropriateness of the circumstance. To me, it would seem kind of insensitive and maybe even cruel to respond this way to a friends death. He wasn’t unable to sympathize with our weaknesses as Hebrews 4:15 indicates.

Do you know what else would cut jealousy from our hearts? Check out Romans 12:10, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Would it be great if we truly looked out for the best welfare of our neighbor? Can you imagine the impact. We would offer to help them get ahead at work or find a good vehicle and guide there children. It would be outrageous. They may even ask, ‘Why is this guy doing this? What is he up to? Where did they get so much love?’ And once they realize that we have no ulterior motive but a simple faith in Jesus. BOOM! Before we know it, we find that the Father has drawn another blind, prodigal back to Him! And again we rejoice with the angels in heaven over another sinner who repents.

Oh, but so many inhibitions? We think, ‘What if they take advantage of me?’ or ‘It will take to much of my time.’ Or ‘What if they hurt me.’ Let’s look to Jesus again. He loved anyway. John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." God loved the world and gave himself for it. Sure it hurt. Sure it was hard. Sure it wasn’t easy but remember it is him who does the loving and caring and giving. We just volunteer ourselves as an instrument or tool. 1Peter 1: 3-4, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
It is He, God who does the saving and the drawing and when we focus on Him, our inhibitions fall aside. In fact Jesus felt a joy when he had to give his life to save the world. Didn’t you know? Philippians , "And for the JOY set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame and seated himself at the right hand of the Father."

Wouldn’t it be great to share in that joy? It can only happen when we offer ourselves as that sacrifice and give our all to Him? When we decide to crucify or kill those carnal desires like jealousy the keep us in bondage.

It will actually cost us more if we don’t do this. We may end up seeing our neighbor perish in sin and never know the freedom of Christ. Can you imagine that life without hope and faith and joy? Can you even begin to comprehend a love without ever feeling loved or cared for or wanted? Well God can take that all way but it must start with us. Let’s decide today to be Jesus to our neighbor.