CHRISTIAN LOVE
BIBLE PASSAGE:
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to
love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
(Romans 13:8)
MEDITATION:
Just to be clear, ‘true’ followers of Jesus Christ do not have
a “holier than thou” attitude. No true Christian looks down
their nose at non-Christians, nor does he or she consider
themselves better than others.
True believers are led by God’s instructions, and one of His
instructions is for us to not only avoid feeling superior to
others, but in fact, we should consider the needs of others
ahead of our own needs.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
not looking to your own interests but each of you
to the interests of the others.”
(Philippians 2:3-4)
That’s a radical departure from what the world teaches us,
isn’t it? There is a reason God commands us to do that – it
teaches us to be humble (which means we are grateful for
what God has given us, but at the same time, we do not
consider ourselves better than others). Humility creates
a selfless attitude in us.
Being humble doesn’t mean we think less of ourselves, it means
we think of ourselves less. Humility requires strong character
and confidence. It is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.
It takes strong character to avoid things like bragging, gossiping,
having uncontrolled anger, being jealous, wanting revenge, holding
grudges, and developing arrogant pride.
So then, why do Christians want lost people to be saved? It is
because they care about the eternal destiny of all people as a
result of the forgiveness they have received from the Lord. It
is a new love for others we were given when God gave us a
new spiritual birth.
Think about this for a second:
When someone gets something special and valuable, often
they don’t want others to have the same thing. Not so with
Christians: they know the valuable gift of salvation God has
given them, and they want everyone to receive the same gift.
Christians know the benefits that are included with salvation,
and one benefit is to avoid eternal suffering at the end of our
earthly life.
Christians shutter at the thought of anyone going to hell. Why?
Because they have a love for others, and they know God has
provided a way to avoid eternal punishment. If a person found
a new type of cure for a devastating disease, he or she would
want everyone to know about it, right?
That is exactly the attitude true believers have about God’s gift of
salvation. Of course some may stumble through trying to encourage
others to receive salvation from God, but remember their efforts are
out of a heart of love for others, and certainly not from a heart filled
with a condescending and more holy attitude.
Christians are fans of others becoming the best they can be,
and want to see others enjoy fellowship with their Creator.
They know that in order to find meaning in life and to enjoy
a new joy and peace, people need a relationship with the Lord.
God extends His offer of a new life to all of His creations.
We were therefore buried with Him through baptism
into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from
the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may
live a new life.
(Romans 6:4)
God makes it clear that we are all sinners, so no person
is better than their neighbor; He also makes it clear that
every person has the same opportunity to be saved.
“For God so loved the world that He gave his one
and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall
not perish but have eternal life.”
(John 3:16)
So, if someone wants to share their testimony with you, or encourage
you to accept God’s free gift of salvation, remember to listen to their
heart when their words seem awkward…they are doing their best to
show their love for you, and their genuine concern about where you
will spend eternity.
Christians are God’s agents whom He uses as a conduit to speak to
your heart about the most important decision you will ever make
(remember that making no decision, is really a decision of rejection).
God loves you, and so do true followers of Jesus Christ.
ACTION:
With the Lord’s power, it’s possible for Christians to overlook
offenses, and respond with kindness and forgiveness. Since we
all have a basic need for unity and connection, these verses
should resonate with followers of Jesus.
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love
one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay
evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay
evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that
you may inherit a blessing.
(1 Peter 3:8-9)
As Christians are called to be “harmonious, sympathetic, loving,
compassionate, and humble”. These two verses urge us to bless
others instead of insulting them, or “returning evil for evil”. The
passage above is an invitation to build bridges of compassion and
love in a world that often seems divided.
As a follower of Jesus, picture your life as a way to connect with others
by rising above misunderstanding and resentment. Showing humility
and kindness is a way of confirming that we want to be more like Jesus.
When others hurl insults, we can exercise self-control by choosing not
to retaliate, but to absorb the insults in the same manner that Jesus has
absorbed insults from others.
God has given those who belong to Him the capacity to choose love
over hatred, forgiveness over resentment, and kindness over cruelty.
As Christians, our goal isn’t to prevail in conflicts, but to inherit God’s
blessings and extend them to others. We are called to reflect His love
and bring healing and unity to those around us.
If you are a lost person, how will you react whenever a follower
of Christ reaches out to you with love and concern of where you
will spend eternity?
If you are a follower of Christ, do you have a strong desire
to see all lost people saved? Have you made preparations to
witness to others when the opportunity arises?
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, create in me the same desire You
have to see all people receive salvation. Prepare my
heart, mind, and attitude now for any opportunities
You have planned for me in the future. Plans for me
to witness to someone who is destined for an eternity
of pain and suffering, because they have not received
Your salvation. Help me to be known as a person who
loves others, so that when I talk to a lost person about
Jesus and salvation, they will not feel uncomfortable or
intimidated, and I will not appear to be condescending.”
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