How can we love others, when we struggle so hard to love each other? Why is love such a struggle these days? We don’t love anymore.
I abhor the conditional (so-called) love that I am seeing today. This is one of the main reasons for high divorce rates. This is one of the main reasons for dwindling and dying churches. Love is superficial. Love is based upon finances, appearance, what can you do for me now, etc.
Genuine love never ends. Genuine love will continue to love until death. Jesus’ love persevered through the hardship.
1 Corinthians 13:1-8 Amplified Bible Commentary – 1 “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction]. 2 And if I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing. 3 If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all. 4 Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. 5 It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. 6 It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. 7 Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. 8 Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away.”
Jesus’ love persevered for those who had nothing to offer Him! His love keeps going even though His bride is messy. Could you ever picture Jesus saying, “I’m sorry, but I fell out of love with you.”? Such a thing is simply absurd. You don’t fall out of love.
What is our excuse? We are to be imitators of Christ! Love should govern our lives. Is love leading you to go the extra mile like it led Christ to go the extra mile? Love has no stipulations. Love has no contingencies. Examine yourself. Has your love been conditional? Are you growing in selflessness? Are you growing in forgiveness or bitterness? Love restores a bad relationship. Love heals brokenness.
Wasn’t it the love of Christ that restored our relationship with the Father? Wasn’t it the love of Christ that bandaged our brokenness and gave us an abundance of joy?
Let’s all learn to love with the love of Christ not expecting anything in return. Love should pursue reconciliation with all our strained relationships. Forgive much because you have been forgiven much.
