Love One Another

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”- Romans 15:5-6

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Philippians 2:13

I have a confession to make. There are some folks out there of whom I'm not all that fond: that guy that cut me off on my drive to work this morning, the surly waitress I dealt with yesterday, the well meaning, but really odd girl I grew up with, the guy who put at least a dozen completely offensive bumper stickers on the back of his car…I don't exactly have warm and fuzzy feelings for them. Some people, even Christians, dare I say, just annoy me! It's not that there is anything wrong with them necessarily, but there are some folks for whom I just do not have an affinity. Conundrum - As a follower of Christ I am supposed to love others as myself.

“But, how?” I ask, “How can I love people who just aren’t all that loveable?” And God sweetly answers me, “Because you are? Do you not know that I loved you while you were yet a sinner?” (Romans 5:8) His love is not dependent on what I do. In fact, I can do nothing to earn His love; conversely, and thankfully, I can do nothing to lose His love. Let me point out, we are not talking about a sentimental love, or even an affinity for others, rather “an exercise in Divine will, in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself.” (W.E. Vine, Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words.)

Years ago in a Bible study my teacher said something totally shocking to me – God does not add qualifiers to His commands. Let me say that another way, God’s commands are not an “If, then” proposition. He does not tell us, “If your parents are honorable, honor them.” He tells us, simply, to honor them (Exodus 20:12). In this same way, Christ did not tell us to love one another, as long as the other behaves loveably.

On this point, I find myself horribly lacking. I just can not, in and of myself, muster up the ability to love sacrificially as Christ has loved us. Praise Jesus, I am not asked to! In fact, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing!” our Lord declares. (John 15:5) “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” – Philippians 2:13. We who are being transformed into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18) have been given His Spirit (John 14:26), which when drawn upon it, enables us to do all things (Philippians 4:13), including love as Christ loved.

God graciously spells out His corporate will for all of us in Scripture. He desires for us to know and love Him, and to love others. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.” – 1 John 5:14-15.

Lord, I am lacking. Give me more of Your Spirit that I may better serve You and love others.