One Anothers Part I: The Competitive Call of Christian Love

Years ago, in my youth, I happened to see an old movie, Cool Hand Luke. Luke was a petty criminal who was sentenced to two years on a Florida prison farm. He is such a rebel that he becomes a hero to his fellow convicts and, at the same time, a thorn in the side of the prison officers. Eventually, he and a friend escape, but are ultimately trapped in an old building that is surrounded by the police. In the final scene, Luke, the rebel prisoner played by Paul Newman, finds himself surrounded by police, with no escape in sight. His friend whispers, “You’re so smart, Luke! What’s the plan?” Luke just grins and says, “I ain’t never had a plan in my life.” Then, mockingly, he shouts out to the warden who is outside with a host of armed officers, “What we have here is a failure to communicate!” Moments later, a gunshot rings out, striking Luke and ending his story.

Luke lived without purpose — without a plan. Sadly, this is the spiritual biography of far too many Christians. They love Jesus, they sing the songs, they show up on Sunday — but when it comes to living with a true sense of commitment and spiritual direction, they’re winging it.

So often, the conflict in the body of Christ is that people compete to outdo one another. Many times, they have not even thought through the real end goal of their actions. They may think that they have it all figured out, but the reality is, just like Cool Hand Luke, they are winging it. The good news is, God doesn’t wing anything. He has a plan, and it’s all about transforming us into One Anothers who outdo each other in love.

Over the next several weeks, this blog will focus on being the kind of Christ Follower who places being transformed into the image of Christ above being transduced into the image of self-righteousness, self-service, and self-efficacy. The call is not for us to be inordinately focused upon self. Instead, the call is to be absolutely focused upon being transformed into the image of Christ, which transforms us to become One Anothers who outdo each other in love.

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” — Romans 12:10

This is the call. Ask yourself, “How well have I answered to it?” It is certainly true that you are imperfect beings, even when it comes to living for Christ. Therefore, perfection is an illusion on this side of heaven. Yet and still, may it never be said that you allow yourself to use your imperfection as an excuse for inactivity. We are to be active witnesses for the Lord. Not winging it, but walking in it, by faith in our Lord who can do all things except fail, even when it comes to managing his children. Now, that’s what I call divine love.

The series has opened with a call. But what exactly are we being called away from?

→ Read Part 2: The Competitive Call to Christian Selflessness

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Living without a plan isn't boldness — it's drift. Dr. Victor Stanley works with pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders who are ready to stop winging it and start walking with intention.

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