What teenager hasn’t made a similar statement? What adult has never said a similar statement? At Church services in our congregation, someone would hand out a list of prisoner prayer requests gathered by those working in prison ministry. Later, as I prayed and read the requests, I noticed a high percentage of requests from prisoners were for loved ones. Many were concerned about how their absence due to incarceration had caused hurt, physical stress, pain, and financial burdens to those who loved them—their parents, wives, children, grandparents, etc.

Behind bars, their concern for loved ones seems heightened and at the forefront of their minds. I don’t know what got these people behind bars, but I do know: OUR ACTIONS AFFECT THOSE WE LOVE, and we should consider this when we start thinking, “It’s my life; I’ll do what I want.”

No matter what time of life we’re in, young or old, we are examples to those around us, and when we make bad choices, those choices can easily create unnecessary burdens on our loved ones. Jesus knew what He was talking about when He commanded us to love others as He loved us. Jesus is the ultimate example for our lives, and when He walked this earth, He lived accordingly.

If we follow the command to “love others as Christ loved us,” then “living our life like we want to” means living with the understanding that what we do affects those we love.

  • John 13:34
  • Matthew 5:16, 22:39.
  • 1 Timothy 4:12
  • Ephesians 5:1-31
  • Romans 14:7-8, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 6:7-8, Philippians 2:3-4, Matthew 5:16, Matthew 22:37-39, Ephesians 5:1-2, 1 John 3:16-18, Proverbs 22:6, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, 1 Corinthians 8:9-13, Colossians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 5:15.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:18

God First!