This is how God showed his love among us:
He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another,
God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
1 John 4:9-12 NIV
God showed His love for us in the most amazing way possible.
He sent His son to die for our sin.
Now, as believers, we live through Jesus Christ, drawing our life and love from Him.
We know we ought to love one another since Jesus loves us. How often do we fail in that area?
It is so easy to love those who love us, but ask us to love someone difficult and we avoid the task.
The Bible teaches that if we can’t love a person we have seen, how can we love Jesus, whom we have not seen?
Don’t we all have work to do? And remember, genuine love doesn’t avoid loving confrontation either.
That is tough. We all want to avoid conflict, don’t we? Yet sometimes confrontation is necessary. To have a good relationship where things don’t get pushed under the rug. Learning to confront in love is vital.
In our modern society too many people believe love means accepting anything. That is completely false.
True love means being truthful when needed, and saving someone’s soul is crucial.
Jesus was never afraid to call a spade a spade.
We should not fear telling the truth, either.
Please study Matthew 12:12-17, and Matthew 23, to see how Jesus spoke the truth.
Naturally, we are called to speak the truth in love.
If you wish to do a further study on biblical confrontation, there is a splendid book called “The Peacemaker” by Ken Sande.
Many of us can learn more about how to reach out to others in love. I have been to Bible Studies, or Church functions where there are visitors and no one reaches out to them.
In other situations I am aware of families that have cut off other family members over trivial issues. They just don’t love their family members.
It is indisputable loving others is often downright hard. We rub up against abrasive individuals whom we would much rather avoid. Yet God does not call us to avoid people but to love people.
Humility is required and a humbling of self, to put self second and God’s agenda first.
God’s agenda is always that we love with His love, not our own selfish love.
When we love with His love, our love becomes complete.
God’s love compels us to give our best to people who frequently don’t deserve it.
But then again, whom of us deserves God’s love?
Not one.
Not you.
Not me.
And yet… God gave His life for us.
That kind of love makes an enormous impact when others witness it.
Love given to those undeserving.
God’s love multiplied.
God’s love gone full circle.
Won’t you share His love (and truth) today?
I will make it a prayer to do the same.
Sure, we won’t do this perfectly, nor nearly so, but we must make it our goal to please God.
We must make it our goal to imitate Jesus and His love.
That is not just God’s Word, we must translate it into action or deeds.
And as we apply God’s Word to our lives, we emulate Him all the more.
Once again… what’s not to love about that?