everyone and not just to those we like?
Giving and receiving love is a blessing and an honor. God loves us so much that He sent His only begotten son to die (John 3:16) a gruesome death on the cross for us. Since He poured unconditional love on us, we have the honor of taking that same love and sharing it with others, unconditionally. When we share His love with others, we’re actually sharing Him. Sharing Him brings healing and reconciliation and hope.
As I type this article, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States in three days. Many people are happy. Many people are sad. I’ve seen families torn apart by the election results. I’ve seen best friends, spouses, and brothers and sisters-in-Christ in heated arguments over the election results. How do we heal the nation going forward? Love. How do we minister reconciliation? Love! Donald Trump and his new administration can do many things, but they cannot legislate love. It’s going to take the children of God to heal this nation and that can only happen through love.
Spreading and sharing love will help families, best friends, marriages, and brothers and sisters-in-Christ heal. When we share love, we share Christ. Our ethnicity doesn’t matter. Our political affiliation doesn’t matter. Love is what matters.
There are many people running around saying they are Christians but they don’t have love for others. Jesus said in John 13:35 that people will know we’re really His followers by the love we have for one another. If you’re pro-life, do you HAVE love for those who’ve had abortions? If you’re anti-gay marriage, do you still HAVE love for the LGBTQ community? Let me make myself clear. I’m not asking you to condone what they’re doing. I’m asking if we can HAVE love for them? The kind of love that’s expressed, visible, manifested.
Remember when the woman got caught in the very act of adultery in Luke 8? Do you remember Jesus’ response? Did He stand in agreement with those who wanted to stone and condemn her? Jesus said, “…neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more,” (John 8:11). If Jesus didn’t condemn her, then neither can we. But are we condemning the very ones who need to see the love of Christ?
How will the LGBTQ community ever see the hope, forgiveness, and salvation in Christ if we never share His love with them? How will a pro-choicer see there’s a better way if we condemn her and her views? Love can and will heal them as well as ourselves.