One night in March 2007, I was awakened at about 2:00 a.m. to hear a song for the first time. I found out later the song, “Love Is a Cross”, by Russ Lee, was a very popular song.
As I lay there that morning, I immediately started thinking of bible verses and arranging them in my head. And thinking about love, what it is, and what should be the result of living a life of love. This writing, mostly completed that week, was inspired by that song.
God is Love, and if man was created in His image, we too should be love. We are commanded to love, and to show our love, even in the midst of suffering. True love could not happen for us without the cross, and Christ was lowered to human form to endure it. Flesh died on that cross, but Love arose from the grave. True love, Agape love, greater love, the love of God; offering each of us relationship, family, salvation, and eternal life with the King.
Jesus Never Told Us to Be Right. He Told Us to Be Loving!
Matthew 22:36-40 says, “”Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ‘ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus said nothing about being righteous. When we seek God (Love) and the Kingdom first, all the other things will be added.
Romans 12: 9 – 18 reads: “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
Don’t Be A Pretender!
We think, how can I apply this true love in my life? Seriously? A child of God should live like it, and love should be who you are. Further:
True Love Brings About Patience – We’ll be able to sit around and wait on things and people without getting upset, cranky, easily frustrated or angered.
True Love Brings About Kindness – We’ll go out of our way to help others, smile, speak, or do something nice for them.
True Love Brings About Joy – People will notice we are always pleasant, happy, smiling. They’ll begin to wonder what it is we have and they don’t, and just maybe, they’ll want some of it too.
True Love Brings About Tolerance – We’ll be able to take things on the chin and turn the other cheek without blowing a fuse and retaliating.
True Love Brings About Generosity – We’ll develop a passion, or at least a desire, to make someone else’s life better. We will give cheerfully, look and pray for opportunities to give.
True Love Brings About Sacrifice – We will put others’ needs before our own, even if it costs our life (Remember the New York Vet diving on the subway track to save the life of a seizure victim). As difficult as it seems, that’s the attitude or commitment we need.
True Love Brings About Acceptance – We will tear down the barriers that caused so much pain over the years. We will stop seeing ethnic differences while fellowshipping and see only a brother or sister in Christ. We will tear the curtain that prevents us from truly being One Church and serving the One Living God. Racism, prejudices, and inequality will have no part in our lives.
True Love Brings About Forgiveness – We will no longer hate, despise, dishonor, or harbor bitterness toward others. The Word has spoken. We cannot have the love of Jesus in us, and still do these things. The Word calls people like this a LIAR.
True Love Brings About Healing – When we do the aforementioned things, old wounds and scars are dressed and bandaged, instead of being left open to become infected. Our mental state becomes one of faith and hope. We can now feel that sense of belonging, as the seeds of love planted within us are watered and begin to grow. That’s Healing, through Faith!
True Love Brings About Service: We answer the call to serve one another. Jesus said He came to serve, not be served. Our needs mattered to Him. Our needs should matter to each other also. And we should address those needs through service. When this sinks in, we will get it. It isn’t about us. It’s about glorifying God, serving Him, and serving others. And to serve, is to Love. The bible says, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 3:16: Tells how God loved the world so much that He gave up a Son who was willing to serve and die for your unworthy soul and mine. We should dedicate our lives to service and love and everything else that can benefit our brothers and sisters. ALL of them; no exclusions. God loves us all and He has no favorites.
Romans Chapter 13: Tells us to owe nothing to anyone—except for our obligation to love one another. If we Love our neighbor, we will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. It also tells us that Love does no wrong to others.
1 Corinthians 14:1: Instructs us to let love be your highest goal!
Scripture also says, “Anyone who does not love, does not know God, for God is love.”
If God is Love, and Love is a Cross, then Jesus Christ on that Cross is True Love. Through that willing sacrifice, we learn to love and have eternal life with God.
Let’s Pray: Father God, I thank you for your son, Jesus. I thank you that He freely gave His life, so we could experience True Love, Love on a Cross, and the salvation it offers. Help us to receive that love and use it daily to bring others into the family. In the blessed name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
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