Eph 5:2: - And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour..
God's love is not contingent on whether we love Him in return. God's love looks past all racial and social barriers and into the hearts and souls of men and women. I find it absolutely amazing the perfect depth of the selfless love Jesus showed for us on the cross. That agape love is not just limited to the cross, but He has commissioned us to display this same love to one another.
He speaks of this love to his disciples in Matthew 5:44, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." We must love unconditionally. Our love should not be based on the anticipation that we will be loved back; although it gives us warm feeling inside, it should never dictate how much we express ourselves to others.
Jesus was despised and rejected by men, Isaiah says that He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, yet He loved us even still.
How amazing is our father's love! I want to have the same love that Jesus showed working in me. When people come through the doors of our church I pray that the love of God through us would overtake them. No, they may not look like us, their clothes may be worn, they may even smell, but oh Lord let us look past their outward appearance and into their heart just as you do. Let us love unconditionally!
Rom 12:10
Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Ryan A. Denard
