I’ve been thinking a lot about love today. And the type of love I’ve been thinking about is deeply Christian, and not what I have experienced or witnessed very often in my life. I mean love beyond — love that goes beyond myself to others, beyond others to the complete stranger or outcast or outsider. I am wondering about the love that reaches easily beyond the outsider to the critic, love for the antagonist, the opponent, and to the enemy. I mean love for those who don’t love you all that much, and sometimes for very good reasons. The kind of love I am thinking about is love that loves as God loves, at least as far as I can imagine God’s love.
I am wondering about loving infinitely, graciously, extravagantly.
I am wondering about loving with God, letting God’s love fill me and flow through me, without discrimination or limit, as an expression of the heart of the God, not the merit of the beloved, including the correctness or acceptance of the beloved’s beliefs. I am wondering why it is so hard sometimes to love those who do not love you back, at all, or very little.
I find it difficult to love my critics and those who misunderstand me.
I find it difficult to love those who want me for what I can give them.
I am also sorry when my love fails or falls short.
How about you? How do you love? When do you struggle with love?
Lord Jesus Christ Son of the Living God have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” John 13:34.
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” John 13:35.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” 1 Peter 4:12.
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil” Ephesians 4:26-27.
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