Rely

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.  Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.  As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good steward's of God's varied grace:  whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies- in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.  To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.  Amen."

1 Peter 4: 8-11

This whole blog is a discussion of how we, as Christians, are called to love, and how we can manifest that love to those around us.  The thing is, loving every single person around us does not come naturally.  Although it's easy to love those who are lovable and who show us love, it's far more difficult to love those who have hurt us or who hate us.  Yet again, Jesus calls us to even love our enemies.

Matthew 5:44-45 commands,  "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven."  The same chapter later reads, "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

We are called to be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect.  But that's impossible!  No matter what we do, we will never be able to love as perfectly as God.  This is where our human frailty must give way to God's all-consuming power and love.  If we are truly to love our enemies, we must rely on the Lord to grant us such love, for we are too weak on our own.  Thankfully with Him, all things are possible. 

Father, I pray that we may see all people, whether friends, strangers, or absolute enemies, through Your loving eyes.  Your love is so pure and I pray that we may experience that radical love and show it to others.  We are too weak and too human to love others on our own, and we instead place our hope in You.