In Christianity, we talk about love quite often because it’s the main principle of our faith. But to walk that talk can be a struggle. I am an empathetic person, so I like to put myself in the shoes of others. When I read stories in the bible, I want to put myself in some of the stories and ask myself, “would you show this same kind of love”? For instance, the parable of the Good Samaritan. The true love in that parable isn’t the fact that the Samaritan stopped and checked on the man who was robbed, It was the fact that he also went the extra mile. He utilized all the resources he had, wine, oil, a donkey, and silver, to help a man who hasn’t done, and won’t be able to do, anything for him. When was the last time you went beyond for someone and not expect it back in return? The love God wants of us is so different from what we usually see or hear about in the world. The love of God is….just….different. It’s different from what you think love should be. Different from what people usually show as love.
So, what is this Godly love? There is a popular verse on love that many are familiar with.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthian 13:4-7
This scripture always sounds so good on paper but is it something you live by in your daily life. When I feel like my time is being wasted, do I remember that love is patient? When I don’t want to do something for someone because it won’t benefit me in any way, do I remember that love is not self-seeking? When someone is pushing my buttons on purpose, do I remember that love is not easily angered and keeps no record of it? Yes, that’s the love Jesus wants from us. As it states in Luke 6: 32-36, you get no credit for loving those who love you. To be a Christian means to be the salt and light of the Earth, and that isn’t done by taking the easy route.
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 do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners’ lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.
Luke 6: 32-36
As I meditated on the love of God, I started to see it from a different perspective. I remember that I am not always easy to love either. There are moments where someone has to be patient with me, where I have angered someone. But, God calls those around me to love me at my worst, just as I am called to love them.
Fortunately for us, Jesus doesn’t call on us to do anything He didn’t model when he was on Earth. In John 13:1-17, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, including Judas, who he knew betrayed him. Can you imagine yourself willingly serve someone who has wronged you? For many of us we have only done that in this brief imagination. Jesus also died on the cross for the same people who cried out to crucify him. In Luke 23:34 while hanging from the cross, he states, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” While dying and hanging from a cross, Jesus isn’t angered, has kept no record of what the crowd has done to him, but has concern over the same people that has him in this position. There is no love greater than the love of God. Love isn’t transactional; I scratch your back, you scratch mines. Godly love is sacrificial, a love that is not about self. It’s a love that can be tough to do at times but has the most significant impact on others and yourself.
Tough love on someone today!
Remember when someone tough loved on you!