Though we’re called to love like Jesus loved, few of us want to or even really try to because the cost is high.
He loved and was rejected
He loved and was mocked
He loved and was lied about
He loved and was betrayed
He loved so much He gave His very life
People tried to deceive and manipulate Him and He loved them. People whipped and crucified Him and He loved them. Even hanging on the cross from a heart of love He forgave them and prayed for mercy on them.
True love costs. It means being willing to speak truth at the possible cost of another’s offense. It means being willing to stay open to rejection after rejection as you stay open and continue loving long after someone has walked away. True love can hurt. Exquisitely. But it is so worth the cost because as we love, we are reflecting Him. We’re reflecting His heart… His condition-less love.
I encourage you to consider if you are truly loving like the Word calls us to love – here’s the definition of Godly love from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 AMP:
Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
It’s a tall order, but He wouldn’t instruct us to do it if it weren’t possible.
Lord make my heart like Yours. Help me have the grace to walk out Your love, which can hurt so badly. Thank You for the opportunity to be like You. To wait and hope and love and pray…
You do pretty good job of loving me.