Choose to Love

It’s a four letter word that packs a powerful punch…L.O.V.E. 

There are times I don’t even like the word, much less want to live it out.  Yet, the Bible has a clear word about that word.   We are to put it into practice, otherwise we are no different than the world around us.

“And now I will show you the most excellent way…” (1 Cor. 13:1)

What about the cranky postman who ran into our mailbox?  We’re to love.  What about the teenager with a cocky attitude and a reputation?  Love.   How about the in-your-face news anchor taking things we say out of context?  Got to love ‘em.  What about the guy who ran us off the road?  Yep…we’re to love.  Oh, then there’s the co-worker who always tries to “one-up” us…Love, love!  Hmmm.  The lady who stole our purse when we turned the opposite direction? Luuh-uuv! The elderly parent who is demanding so much of our time…Love!  Complaining spouse?  Love. 

Me: Here’s a tough one, God, what about the guy who shot and killed the officer just doing his job or the innocent child playing in his yard? 

God: L.O.V.E.! 

Me: Are you kidding me?  I can’t offer love to someone who has murdered an innocent individual. 

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Cor. 13:1)

God: You’re right, you can’t in your own strength.  Only through me can you offer forgiveness and love.  Read my word, it tells you what I did for you when you weren’t so lovely yourself…

“For God so loved the world  that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him, should not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16 (emphasis added)

You see, I saw you when you were at your most unlovely.  There was no possible way for you to enter into my presence without someone to clean you up and take away your unholiness.  So, the only thing to do was to do it myself – to send Jesus as your righteous substitute.  Kind of like sending someone to step in at the last moment at your trial, saying “Hey Judge, I’ll take her punishment.  Let her go free!” 

Amazing, isn’t it?

“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 always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”  1 Cor. 13:4-7

Me: It really is.  Wow!  I guess that fits the passage that says, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

God: So true.  I have shown you love beyond measure, now in turn, I ask you to love those around you.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Cor. 13:13

With that, as I personally take on this challenge to love others and show them love from the Father each day, I would challenge you as well.  Let’s examine our hearts and see if there needs to be a little fine-tuning in the love department.  I assure you it won’t be easy.  It may even cost us something, but in the end we will hear those wonderful words, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”   Won’t you choose to L.O.V.E.?!

God bless, all.

Kristi