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Valentine’s Day is around the corner. The other day when I was eating chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant, I heard a man griping to his (male) friend that Valentine’s Day is “just a made-up holiday to force men to buy flowers and candy for their girlfriends or wives.” In my head, I was thinking, “Actually, no, it’s a perfect opportunity for a man to show his wife how very much he loves her!”
In my recent blog post on love, I shared how God has called us as Christian believers to love as He loves–not to hate.
The way we learn to love God, others, and ourselves is by spending time in the presence of the One who is the epitomy of love–God. God is love. (1 John 4:3) By praying. Worshipping and praising Him. Meditating on His Word, the Bible. Having fellowship with other believers. Operating in the fruit of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) Crucifying our flesh daily. (Romans 6:6) Repenting of sin. (Acts 3:19)
God’s anointing–the presence of His Holy Spirit–teaches us all things, including love. (1 John 2:27)
I guess it’s easy for God to love because, well, He’s God! But what about us mere humans, we who are fragile jars of clay, so prone to sinning and who eventually return to the dust from which God made us? (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)
Let’s face it. Some people are not easy to love. In fact, sometimes they are downright unloveable.
They can be:
- Rude.
- Hateful.
- Mean.
- Spiteful.
- Harsh.
- Cruel.
- Arrogant.
- Indifferent.
And let’s face it; you and I can be very unloveable, too.
What to do with these kind of people?
You and I make an intentional choice to love anyway.
The way God does with you and me. He loves and gives first. The way Jesus looked down at those who crucified Him and mocked Him and said, “Father, forgive them because they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 22:34, International Standard Bible)
Jesus DIED for them, the same as He did for you and me! Love lays down one’s life and prays for others–even those who hate and despitefully use you. (Luke 6:28)
Love is a decision. Love is an action. Love is a verb.
Is it easy? NO! I really struggle with this at times. I constantly have to ask God to help me to love others the way He does. (Sometimes this is hardest to do in your own family!)
Is it what God desires for you and me, to be vessels of His unconditional (agape) love? YES!
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I’m writing a new book now, Metamorphosis: Transformed From Hate to Love.
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