As I study the Bible I see the word “love” used hundreds of times, especially in the New Testament. Jesus talked about love often and was the perfect example of what “true love” is when He died for us on the cross. In Mark 12:29-31 (NLT) Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was, “Jesus replied, The most important commandment is this : ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
Before I go any further let’s take a look at what the word love means. If we are going to show this to others we have to know what it means right? Dictionary.com defines love in these ways: 1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person; 2. a feeling of warm, personal attachment or deep affection; 3. affectionate, concern for the well being of others; and 4. benevolent affection of God for his creatures, or the reverent affection due from them to God.” I see the word affection used many times so let’s take a look at that meaning in Dictionary.com: 1. fond attachment, devotion or love; 2. emotion, feeling, sentiment.” So when I look at these definitions the simplified version for me is God wants us to care for all of those around us.
When I look at the verse above I think I’ve got that first one Lord. I love you with all my heart and know you are the one and only Lord. But that second one, hmmmm sometimes that is not so easy to do but I’ve got half of it correct so I’m good right? If I’m honest with myself I will see that I can’t fully love the Lord as I think I do if I’m not following the other part of that commandment which is to love others.
If we are honest we have to admit this is not an easy thing to do. There are those in our daily lives who we sometimes have a hard time loving. It may be their attitudes, their demeanor, their lack of respect, etc. that makes it hard for us to love them. I know at times that can be tough but remember the “Fruit Store” I mentioned in yesterday’s post. God has equipped us to love even those who we may feel don’t necessarily deserve it. Daily you have to take those bites of fruit necessary to help you follow God’s word.
Okay, you think you can do that when it comes to your family members, friends or someone close you’re talking about. You see all the other times they are loving, respectful and caring so you can love them during the times they are not. You know who they truly are. The true test comes when you have to be just as loving and caring for someone you don’t know that well.
Maybe it’s a boss or co-worker who you don’t know much about outside of work. But at work they don’t treat you with respect or kindness. How do you love that person when you don’t see or know about any good they may be doing in their lives? Or what about the person who has just been rude to you at the store. This is the first time you’ve ever interacted with this person and they are not showing you any love or respect. How do you keep your peace and love them?
First, we have to do it because Jesus tells us to do it. So we stand on His word. By standing on His word, we know He will provide us with all we need to follow His commands. In those times when you really would rather go off on people when they show you no love you have to take a deep breath. Remember you are a child of God and so are they. You don’t know what they are dealing with in their lives.
Go into it thinking the act of love you are about to show, even though you feel they don’t deserve it, could be the thing that turns them around. Go into your “Fruit Store” and feed yourself so you love them the way God commands us to. Then pray for them so they can realize the “Fruit Store” they have inside of them and start eating from it. You have the power to change lives just by your acts of love. Always remember that my friends!
Truth in Love! ~ Chuck