Have you ever found yourself stuck in a relationship that you want out but cannot get out because Love will not let go.
Have you done everything possible to make the other person convinced that you are not the right person for them but their love for you just will not let them believe you?
Love is a strong force. It is influential and contagious. It could be reciprocal because it looks beyond the fault of the other person. Thus, love is not only a feeling but also who we are. We were created out of love by the One who is Love, and for love we were saved (John 3:16).
Recently, I came across an online article by Jada Pryor on Patheos Christian Crier page written in July 2015. It read thus,
“Because we measure love by human standards, it can be hard to imagine what it means to be loved unconditionally. We understand passionate love, young love, and first love. Yet all three of those circles back towards the ability to sustain that love, and to most people there will come a time when that begins to feel difficult. The rush wears off, the facades come down, and daily life begins to wear down the sparkle. The ones, who make it, are those who choose to hold on to that first kind of love, in all moments-even when the ones we are to love seem entirely unlovable. To some small degree, that is the way God loves us. He holds on tightly to us, even when the going gets tough, and loves us at our very best and our lowest worst. His is a love with no earthly match, but an example of the way we should aspire to be.”
This little but profound piece ministered to me. The closing remark, “An example of the way we should aspire to be” challenges me to re-examine myself. Am I who God wants me to be? Am I doing what I should? Again, this means God models to us what He wants us to become. However, we have not become what He modeled because without His love in us, we simply cannot.
The Bible states that God is love.1 John 4:8 NLT But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
Wow, that is so profound – God is love!
Do you know that Love shared is God shared? Sadly, the mistake many make is they love only those who at least love them. Nevertheless, Jesus’ teachings challenge us to love differently and unconditionally.
Let us see how as we examine these scriptures:
Matthew 5:43-44 NLT
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. However, I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
Luke 6:35-36 NLT
“Love your enemies! Do well to them. Lend to them without expecting a payback. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.
You see, making the world a better place for all is not just a rhetoric we sing but also something we do. We can make the world much better than what it is if we can love intentionally and purposefully.
Think of the many people you walk past without a word or a wave. Some tried to greet you but you shunned them. Think of how many Images of God you probably have ignored. On the other hand, are all created in God’s image and likeness? Selah!
Like I often challenge myself, I invite you to reflect on the many times God’s instructions were violated, and God does not hate us for it. Rather, He corrects us in love so we may be better. This act of love, grace and mercy is what He encourages us to do to others.
God does not give up on His own children. His love will not let go, and I urge you to stay loved. Love those He brings you to meet on this journey of life.
Please read this 👉 1 John 4:7-12 NLT
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. However, anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love-not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to love even those that find it hard to love me. Amen🙏
Excerpts from sermon preached by Rev James Adeyeye @ Revival Worship Center, Kennedale, Texas 76060
