Love
“I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.”
2 John 1:5-6 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/2jn.1.5-6.nlt
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Mathew 5:13-16
This picture represents what the world sees as love. And it is a wonderful kind of love. But this love is only a small part of a greater love. This subject of love has been heavy on my mind for a while now. A friend of mine recently wrote a post on her social media asking what people thought of when they heard the word Christian. I was saddened by the response. I couldn’t help myself but to reply. However, after my reply I dwelled on the answer for a while. I gave a challenge to all Christians, as well as myself to show love, peace, and compassion without compromising Gods word. And I still back that challenge. Somebody commented on my challenge with the very thing I had been dwelling on. She commented that being a Christian is not a popular thing, and we Christians should not expect to be liked by everyone. And she is correct. She also brought up the fact that Jesus was hated for being Jesus, the very definition of being a Christian. And she is correct. However, my point is and still is, being a Christian has responsibilities of respect and love. Not the mushy love. Not the compromising, everything is okay type of love. No. The bible is clear that anybody can know a Christian by their works, by the fruit of the spirit. But these fruits can not be manifested honestly without the indwelling Holy Spirit.
I guess the question that comes in mind, or the misunderstanding is this word ‘love’. What does love really mean? I can tell you that God’s definition of Love can’t be comprehended by us humans. Love doesn’t die. Love doesn’t go away. Love doesn’t allow hate, jealousy, hypocritical attitudes, judgmental accusations, no. Love also doesn’t allow compliancy, disrespect for our Heavenly Father, or accepting of anything that is against God.
I made reference to a saying I’ve heard in the past. It goes something like this, “As a Christian, you may be the only Jesus others may see.” While this statement can help us Christians keep check on our attitudes in public and with others, it’s a mighty load to put on our shoulders. Yes, for sure none of us, not one of us, is a perfect Christian! And there will never be until we go to Heaven. But and I say But, we as Christians do have a responsibility to be the best we can be. And we can’t do that alone, we need the personal relationship with Christ, Gods Son. We need the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Yes, we Christians mess up. And so does every other human being in this world. Yes, it seems that Christianity is held more accountable than any other. And at first my inside screams, not fair! What about our diversity rights? But then, it makes sense. As a Christian, we should be held more accountable. After all, a Christian is supposed to be the light and the salt of the world. And when we’re doing just that, then yes people will hate us, that’s why we need to be tight with Jesus! And, when it comes to Christians, we need to encourage and support each other, let God do the judging. After all, He knows the whole true story, we do not!
I guess what I’m trying to say, there is a balance. Being a Christian does not mean we’re perfect, we are not, but it doesn’t give us an excuse to do what we want. It doesn’t give us an excuse to mess up. And being a Christian means we are a child of the Holy God, Loved and chosen. It doesn’t give us an excuse to think we’re better than everyone else. It doesn’t make us better than anybody else. Jesus died for every single person, and every single person has a choice to make. Every single person can choose to be a Christian, and that’s how much our Holy God Loves each one of us. He gave each one of us a choice. So shouldn’t we look at each other in the same light?
I’m passionate about this subject, because I’ve struggled, dealt, and pondered on this subject my whole life. Even before I was a Christian. I can go on, but that’s another blog for another time.
I will update my previous challenge, as well as put it out there for everyone who reads this blog.
As a Christian, learn and grow how to love. The only way to honestly do that is to let Christ shine through us. The only way to do that is through a relationship with Christ. Prayer and Scripture and Faith.
Questions, comments? Comment on here or email them to me at jvrministries@outlook.com.
#godisholy #godislove #christianlove #godmadediveristy #salvation