Well, here is a new one; a dog kissing a fish – or is it a fish kissing a dog? On second thought- does it really matter? Two completely different creatures apparently showing affection for one another; now, here is a lesson for us all!
Consider; we all have our own completely original background, for no two of us are absolutely alike. Well, what about twins, you may ask? No even twins, because each of them lives in their own space, experience slightly different things during the course of their lives. So, they may be identical in genome, but not in experience.
But what about those who are different from us? Different in age, sex, race, religion, or location (an American verses a person from a different country). Culture does change things, but every human (well, most of them anyway) performs the same basic bodily functions, such as speaking, hearing, thinking, eating, sleeping, etc.. So then, why has it become so very hard for human beings to get along? Now, if I could really answer that question, I think I would be entitled to a genuine Nobel peace price for bringing people together. But, I do know someone who is able to do that, and his name is Jesus. He and He alone is able to bring people of every possible shape, size and description together. The Apostle of Jesus, Paul, knew this and realized the difference that Jesus can make in the life of any human being. This change humbles you, changes you and enables you to lead a different life; a life joined with God. Paul says…
1 Timothy 1 ( World English Bible )
12 And I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service;
13 although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
No matter what you are like, no matter how bad or how good you may think you are, GOD LOVES YOU! He loves you enough to send Jesus to the cross to pay the price for all your sins. Words may sound nice, but actions that involve a sacrifice really mean something.
Paul encountered Jesus and when he did, it completely changed his life. He dedicated his life to serve him. Humm, isn’t that what every person who truly becomes a Christian does? Not just in a man-made prayer, but in loving obedience to the Gospel, by believing in God (and Jesus), repenting of your current way of living (of living sinfully) and turning to God to show you how to live according to his will. So, having done these things, you confess Jesus as LORD and submit to him by being baptized into HIS body for the forgiveness of sins. You begin life anew; a life directed by God’s will and not your own.
The answer to all the world’s problems – to them all, is God and his love in Jesus the Christ of God. His love provides the motivation to love others, no matter who they are or where the come from and to bring all human beings together into the one body. This love has and will continue to change the world into a better place.
God wants us to love every single person we will ever meet, even the worst of them. This means to do the best we can towards others, no matter how they act toward us. It does not mean that we will like everyone, but it does mean we will do our best to show to them like Jesus showed his love toward us- in actions.
Having said all this, there is but one question that remains unanswered:
Could I really kiss a fish?