Loving One Another

Recently I was reminded of the difference love can make in our lives. Most often, a person, in the midst of condemnation and judgement, struggles in a myriad of ways. However, that same person, in an environment of love, flourishes. I experienced this myself, in my relationship with my husband. I know that his strong and committed love was a major cornerstone of my development as a Godly woman. In this environment of love, I was able to move beyond old hurts and fears that were tripping me up. My husband was, and is, and earthly example of God's love for us.

But we struggle with this, don't we? Sometimes we feel that someone doesn't need to feel our love. Or maybe we don't think we have the time to express it. Sometimes we feel ourselves to be unloveable. And sometimes we find it utterly impossible to love another. At times our society can feel completely unloving. Gossip, judgement and criticizm run rampant on our televisions, in our work places and at social events, and even in our own homes. It is simply easier to harden our hearts. However, in Hebrews we read...

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:12-13

And in Luke...

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:32-36

Be merciful.

Those are powerful words. When I am having a hard time showing mercy to someone -- when it seems like their offenses are just too great -- I remind myself of my own sin. While I was a sinner, Christ died for me. I remain a sinner still, yet when I repent, the Lord forgives. Acknowledging that I am the recipient of such great mercy and forgiveness helps me to extend mercy and understanding to others. It softens my heart.

Let's look at the things love does/is, according to the Bible...

1. Patient (1 Corinthians 13:4)

2. Kind (1 Corinthians 13:4)

3. Rejoices in truth (1 Corinthians 13:6)

4. Protects (1 Corinthians 13:7)

5. Hopes (1 Corinthians 13:7)

6. Perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:7)

7. Never fails (1 Corinthians 13:7)

Things love does not do...

1. Boast (1 Corinthians 13:4)

2. Envy (1 Corinthians 13:4)

3. Exhibit pride (1 Corinthians 13:4)

4. Dishonor others (1 Corinthians 13:5)

5. Seek ones' self (1 Corinthians 13:5)

6. Become easily angered (1 Corinthians 13:5)

7. Keep a record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5)

8. Delight in evil (1 Corinthians 13:6)

I would encourage you to examine your heart, confess your own sin before God, especially any sin that involves harboring an unloving spirit, and ask God to help you show love to someone today. If you ask Him for this, He will do it.