Have you ever tried describing yourself with this verse? So it's: "Kendra is patient, Kendra is kind. She does not envy, she does not boast, she is not proud..." I have to stop there. Describing myself in these terms is a total lie that I, nor anyone else, can live up to honestly. That is, everyone except Jesus.
"Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind. He does not envy, he does not boast, he is not proud. Jesus does not dishonor others, Jesus is not self-seeking, Jesus is not easily angered, Jesus keeps no record of wrongs. Jesus does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Jesus never fails..."---Sounds true, doesn't it?
You have to understand that Jesus is Love, that's why the two go one in one.
Saying that I am any of these things 100% of the time is a complete lie. Sure, I may be kind usually. I may not envy too much, nor boast too much. But saying that I'm patient is a complete joke, at stop lights- you bet I am impatient.
As Christians, we sure do want to say that we are all of these things, but we're not. We're only human. And Jesus was human, but He was also God. "God is Love" (1 John 4:8), as well we are not Love 100% of the time. I may be a Loving Person, but that is completely different than being the one syllable word Love.
Most of the time we force Love that shouldn't be forced. For instance, we have a troubled relationship with our spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend/parents/friends/strangers/brothers/sisters/etc., so we try harder. "My friend needs my forgiveness? I don't know how, but I'm going to give it." "I don't care how much it hurts, I'm gonna be nice to that snob across the room." "I'm supposed to love my neighbor? Okay. By golly, I will."
So we try to Love. Teeth clenched. Jaw firm. We're gonna Love if it kills us! And it may just do that.
But, the thing is- to Love someone, don't we have to experience Love? That's where God settles in. The secret to Loving is receiving. "We love, because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
We may not be 100% Love, but we can try to still be Loving. Begin by accepting your place as a dearly loved child. "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us" (Ephesians 5:1-2).
Want to learn to learn to forgive? Then remember how you have been forgiven of your sins. "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).
Having trouble to put others first? Remember the way Christ put you first. "Though [Jesus] was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to" (Philippians 2:6).
Especially in my case, needing more Patience? Drink from the patience of God. "The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent" (2 Peter 3:9).
And, are you having trouble being kind to snobs, ungrateful relatives, or cranky neighbors? God puts up with us when we act the same. "He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked" (Luke 6:35).
Can't we Love like this?
Sure we can!
But, not without God's help we can't.
Have a great day!
<3KM
PS: This post was inspired by "A Love Worth Giving" By Max Lucado, which is an excellent book and Christian Author!
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