Understanding love according to God's definition is beyond me. I know I can't love like He does, not on my own.
So often showing love is skimming the surface, depending on my mood or whom I am trying to love. They say love is a verb. And a verb shows action.
I say I love, but do my actions follow? (Click to Tweet)
I simply know that I don't understand love like God does.
I say I love, but do my actions follow? (Click to Tweet)
I simply know that I don't understand love like God does.
Maybe I am being too hard on myself as Valentine's Day whizzes past. If I am honest though, I can tell you my ability to love hasn't really been tested. Not like others I know:
A wife continues to show kindness to her husband even though he has betrayed her.
Love provides 24/7 care for someone who has hurt them in the past.
I am afraid to find out what I am not capable of. Yet, at the same time my heart cries out for God to teach me how to love like He loves.
The good news is, that I am not able to love without the source of love.
Scripture tells me Love is of God because God is Love. 1 John 4:7-8
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| Photo by Ruthanne Sprague, used with permission |
He says, I will love you with an everlasting
love.
God is my example. His love never changes. He is the One who loved me first so I can love in return. So with that message, I know He can teach me to love like He loves.
Unconditionally.
No matter what I do, His love never changes.
No matter what I do, His love never changes.
Jesus knew Peter would deny Him. But, He prays He will strengthen His brothers. Luke 22:31-34
He knew Judas plotted betrayal for 30 pieces of silver, yet He shares bread with him (a gesture of honor). John 13:21-26
Jesus never withheld love, because He is the expression of God's love. He can't be unloving. It's against His character. And, this love led Him to the cross to pay our sin debt. His love paid it all. And, it was love that held him on the cross, not the Roman's nails.
So, my prayer today is, teach me to love. Scary, I know. I've been warned it's like praying for patience...
Am I afraid of what is coming? Yes. Though I shouldn't be because His word tells me that Perfect Love casts out fear.
But loving others takes sacrifice.
I know I am selfish and self-protective but I know He will teach me with gentle patience if I am willing.
How good are you at loving others? (Click to Tweet)
I'd love to hear your thoughts,
Jeanne
God's Love for you is relentless:
So, my prayer today is, teach me to love. Scary, I know. I've been warned it's like praying for patience...
Am I afraid of what is coming? Yes. Though I shouldn't be because His word tells me that Perfect Love casts out fear.
But loving others takes sacrifice.
I know I am selfish and self-protective but I know He will teach me with gentle patience if I am willing.
How good are you at loving others? (Click to Tweet)
I'd love to hear your thoughts,
Jeanne
God's Love for you is relentless:
Coffee image courtesy of Morguefile.com
I so enjoy your posts as they are filled with so much emotion that I know comes from a personal relationship with our Lord.
ReplyDeleteI have many thoughts on this subject concerning God's Love. So often times in life love is taken for granted. When we know it's always there, we tend to use it as it is needed or wanted. Love is an action verb. Love requires a giver and a taker; otherwise love is non-existant as action is not taken.
On the other hand for those who Love Him, the Love of God is comparable to a warehouse without a back to it; it is never ending, never failing, always hearing for the sound of the bride as she calls to her husband.
Proverbs 8 - I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
We seem to be living a world that touts the unconditional love of Christ as an excuse to betray that Love by allowing ourselves to be caught up in the world and the things of the world. If a man loves the world, the Love of God is not in him.
Western New York Homes :)
ReplyDeleteYou bring forth some excellent points. I love the image of the infinite warehouse. Yes! His storehouse is never diminished. His love, grace, strength, forgiveness -- all are from a bottomless reservoir with our name on it. When we are in Christ, we have access to His riches.
Our understanding of love in our culture is definitely lacking. We try but humanly it is impossible to truly love without strings. Though I know He can enable us to.
Oh how we need Him...and how much of His love He gives to us! All we need to do is ask.
Blessings to you and thank you for your wonderful comment.
Back in 1990, my mother was in a rehab unit after a serious car accident. As she recovered, I was free to take her out to the halls and lounges. One time, as she was chatting with someone, I offered and helped another patient get adjusted in his chair and picked up something for him! Mom asked me how I could so easily do that.....my reply was, "I prayed: Jesus, help me love them like you do!" When I come across difficult people, situations, or indecision that has been my prayer ever since then!
ReplyDeleteJudith Coopy coopyju@hotmail.com
What a perfect example and I love how it prompted you going forward. We know we can't love without His help especially when the situations are difficult. May this be our prayer too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for prompting me to make it mine.
God's love is so genuine, and so beyond ourselves. Loving our enemies, loving those who persecute us. Loving when our natural inclination is to fight back or retaliate. God's love is different, and reminds us of how undeserved our forgiveness is, as He penetrates our heart to portray the same forgiveness to others. God is good. God bless, thank you for writing.
ReplyDeleteGrace, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I agree. I wonder how I would react in some of those difficult situations. I like Judith's idea of praying everyday, Lord show me how to love like you love today. One day at a time :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful reminder of our frailty, and His love and grace. Oh, that I would grow to shine bright for Him!
ReplyDeleteHe loved us first, even though we were sinners. Powerful love.
Amen, Vonda. His love is deep and covers every place of sin, hurt and need. His love calls us--Oh, how I pray we will answer.
ReplyDelete