https://www.facebook.com/groups/muchgrace/
(1 John 3:16) “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
SERIES 8: BECOMING LIKE JESUS. 3. Loving like Jesus (Love that costs (you) something).
Following Jesus isn’t always easy. It can mean learning to love people not only when it is easy, convenient, or returned, but when love requires something from us! Jesus did not love from a safe distance. His love moved towards people, touched the hurting, welcomed the rejected, forgave the guilty, and ultimately it cost Him everything.
We often say that we love someone, but Jesus shows us that genuine love is more than a feeling. Love is a choice expressed through action. It may mean giving our time (especially when we are tired), forgiving (especially when we have been hurt), listening (especially when we would rather speak), or helping someone (especially when they have nothing to offer us in return).
Jesus loved those who misunderstood Him, rejected Him, and even those who would eventually crucify Him. His command to love our enemies was not theoretical. He demonstrated EXACTLY what it meant by giving His own life!
That kind of love is uncomfortable because it reaches beyond our natural preferences. It asks us to look beyond what someone has done to us and see the person God sees. It does not mean accepting wrongdoing or allowing ourselves to be abused. It means refusing to let resentment, pride, or self-interest have the final word.
Sometimes the most Christlike thing we can do is love someone who cannot repay us. Sometimes it is choosing forgiveness when we have every reason to remain angry. Sometimes it is simply staying beside someone when there is nothing we can say to make their pain disappear…!
Following Jesus means allowing His love to become visible through us. His love was not cheap, convenient, or conditional. It cost Him. And if we are becoming like Jesus, our love will sometimes cost us something too.
+++
Let's pray, "Heavenly Father I'm only the messenger ... and I am struggling and squirming under this Truth. Help me Lord to be more like the Jesus You sent!" Amen!
+++
URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS (Please keep checking as more are being added almost daily)