There are only two things that matter in life. Loving God and loving others. But even loving others is really a natural outcome of loving God. So, really, we can say there is only one thing that matters and that is loving God.

But how do we know we truly love God? Easy. When we love others. But how do we know we love others then? Easy. When we are willing to be a substitute for them – in other words, exchange our place with theirs.

Joseph, who became the prime minister of Egypt, didn’t reveal his identity to his brothers until he made sure of something. He wanted to know whether they were changed men (Remember they sold him as a slave to the Egyptians because they were jealous of him?). He got his proof from Judah, one of his brothers. Judah got up and said to Joseph (Not knowing it was him), “Please take me as your slave rather than my younger brother, Benjamin, because that will grieve my father to death to know that he lost his remaining favorite son!” In other words, Judah was willing to exchange his life for Benjamin’s. That’s how Joseph found out that they were changed men.

Jesus, the better Joseph, is observing us to see if we love our brothers/sisters like that.

Have you ever prayed for someone in need such that you asked God to let his unfavorable condition be yours and let your better condition be his? For example, imagine the person you are praying for has cancer. Have you ever prayed that his cancer would in your body and your healthy body would be his?

If you are a parent, you understand this kind of love. When your child was sick, you wished you were sick rather than her. You might have even asked God that He will let you have her sickness and let her have your health in exchange.

That’s what love does. It’s the willingness to exchange your life for hers….

Paul wished that he would be in hell if that meant that his Jewish brothers would be saved!

How far do we fall short of even a mere man like Paul, let alone Christ?

That’s our aim. We have no excuse since Paul, only a man, loved as such. Repent of your selfishness. Repent of your loveless heart. Hang onto the God of love until He changes you to be able to love others more than yourself.

PH