Be Love

 

Love. The foundation of the teachings by Jesus. Love is why Jesus came to dwell among us. Love is why Jesus healed the sick and fed the poor. Love is why Jesus led His followers and taught the multitudes. Love is why Jesus allowed Himself to be nailed to a Roman cross. Love is why Jesus did not remain in the tomb. Love is why Jesus went back to heaven and sent His Spirit. Love is what Jesus called us to.

Jesus's words are recorded for us in John 13:34-35 (ESV); "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

Yet, love is not something that we are left to do as though love is simply a verb - an action that we choose to take. Instead, love is to be who we are in Jesus and through Jesus. Love is to be a noun - how we are defined.

In Jesus' parable of the good Samaritan we find that Jesus is calling us to a new level of love - a level of mercy to all. Jesus calls us to consider the love of the good Samaritan and to "go and do likewise". 

Jesus calls us to love without limits. We must love without parameters. We must love without boundaries. We must love without question. 

So, the question that we must all consider; "who are you withholding love from?".

In Matthew 5:44 Jesus calls His followers to "love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you".

Are there any prejudices in your life? Are there any preconceived opinions that you have formed - not based on reasoning or actual experiences - that you need to rid your mind of?

Are there any racisms or classisms in your life?  Any there any favortisms that you hold on to or show toward a certain group of people - perhaps those that belong to a particular social class - that you need to rid your heart of?

Do you recognize any areas of your life where you are withholding love - through your words, your thoughts, or your actions?

Let me challenge you, not only to begin to love but, to become love to all those that you encounter today.