“A Posture FOR Others”

Nonverbals say a lot. In interactions with others, it’s not just about what you say. It’s about how you say it and what your body says as you say it. Your tone, facial expressions, eye contact, and overall posture communicate magnitudes. You can say the same exact words and yet communicate two completely different things. Believe me, I know. I have suffered the consequences of saying the “right words” in the “wrong way” more than once. In addition, our nonverbals often communicate the truth of what we are thinking and feeling even when we try to hide it with our words.

Our everyday actions, decisions, and interactions are like the nonverbals of our life; they speak magnitudes. In Leviticus 19, God reminds His people that those everyday actions, decisions, and interactions should reflect Him and their relationship with Him:

“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.11 “You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. 12 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.13 “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning. 14 You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.15 “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.17 “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I AM the Lord.” – LEVITICUS 19:9-18

Five times in this passage God follows up His instructions for everyday life with this declaration, “I am the LORD.” Live in this way, as radical as it may be, for it reflects Me and My character. As He says at the beginning of this chapter, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”

Don’t look like the rest of the world around you, but be set apart, be different.

Here He calls His people, including you and me, to live everyday with a posture FOR others, for this is His posture. He is the God that makes it rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45). He is the Lord who does not wish that any should perish but all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He is the God who so loved ALL the people of the world that he sent is only Son, Jesus, to save them and give them life; to save YOU and give YOU life (John 3:16).

So today and throughout this week, seek to live with a posture FOR others. As you go about your day, don’t just think about yourself but think about the good of others around you. Think about how your actions and decisions will impact them. Seek to be fair and even generous in all your interactions and dealings with others.

Yes, living in this radical way with a posture for others will require some sacrifice from you — But what better way to help this world experience our God, the One who sacrificed it all for you, for me, for everyone?!

Holy Spirit, help us to live with a posture FOR others today, tomorrow, everyday so that more might come to know the God who is FOR them and the life He freely offers. In Jesus’ name.

As you consider these thoughts and this scripture this week, respond to the following:

1. How did Jesus show the FOR others posture of God in His life and ministry? Search the Gospels for some examples.

2. How might intentionally living with a posture FOR others change your interactions and decisions throughout the week? Put it into practice and note any differences.

Connect with more information about the Love For All Weekly Devotion and additional resources at SPLDECATUR.ORG/LOVEFORALL and SHARE your thoughts, questions, and prayers with us HERE.