LOVE'S LEAD

"For instance, God teaches us to love by putting some unlovely people around us. It takes no character to love people who are lovely and loving to you." - Rick Warren

Matthew 5:44-48
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Someone once lamented to me, "I have always wondered why God would make my path cross with people of a dissimilar mindset compared to mine, that no matter how much I care about them they just always want to frustrate me by doing the opposite". As he opened up to me I could see what used to be very much like my experience in life in all that he said as he poured out his mind to me. At first it seemed like I didn't have answers just like I didn't then when I was devoid of understanding but thank God for God. Those days were in the past. Light and understanding has dawned now for my present and my future. My today is filled with the knowledge of God especially concerning matters that have to do with loving others.

We all know that when we were in school,  what was taught by our teachers in class was sometimes completely different from what they gave to us as homework and often seemingly very far from what we got to face in tests and examinations. Well, that's because since they had given us the basic principles, they expected us to understand how to use them to solve questions in that area that came in other forms. In just the same way, God expects that we should be able to apply the understanding of true love in dealing with unappreciative people. Today's opening scripture makes it clear that God doesn't just want us to love only those  people who love us but He wants us to love just like He did and as He still does. He so loved us even while we were helpless and sinners. We were not the ones who loved Him first; He loved us first. He kept reaching out in love to us even when we didn't initially show any gratitude for His immense love.

Yes, in just the same way, He wants us to love those who do not give a hoot about us, those who act cold towards us and who do not respond nicely to the compassionate and affectionate disposition towards them, no matter how much we extend our hands of friendship to them. May God help us see that in loving those who aren't loving in return, you and I really are training ourselves to become more like God in our day-to-day living. The point is: God wants us to take the lead in showing love. Eternity rewards those who take the lead in loving. Eternity rewards those who follow this law of love. The law of love is eternal and supersedes every other law. It takes strong character and a sacrifice that's pleasing to God always to love others as Christ loves you and to put their interest before yours.

I trust you now know the answer I gave my friend and brother which made him stronger and to continue loving others. Look up to no one except to Christ when it comes to getting the zeal to love others. The more you allow Jesus' love inspire you, the more you'll be find the determination despite the response of others, to love steadily and unconditionally as you ought.

Keep Loving, Keep Living...............LOVE ISSUES
@Bibilovejunkie