Love. Unconditionally.

I do not know about you, but the subject of unconditional love causes me to have deep thoughts and even deeper conversations with the LORD. We are taught in John 3:16 that we were loved before we could ever love and through that love, the FATHER gave us HIS Son for our sake. We are taught, too, that we belong, solely, to the LORD's and that nothing will come between us--Romans 8:35. Now, our relationship with one another is something that we must certainly come to a deep understanding. We are to love one another as Christ loved us and gave HIS life up in exchange for ours as a fragrant sacrifice--Ephesians 5:2. We are to love. Unconditionally. Without reservation.

So, how do we do that? How can I love someone who has injured me deeply or has ridiculed me? How do I love when there seems not to be love at all? Well, it is linked with forgiveness and the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. JESUS told us to love our enemies (Luke 6:27) and we are to love others because it was given to us before we even knew what love was (Romans 5:8). Historically, the Children of Israel did everything they could to defy the LORD; but, despite the defiance, the LORD sent HIS Son that we could know love through forgiveness. Ephesians 4:32 tells us that we MUST be compassionate towards one another and to forgive at all times. If we have grievances with one another, we are to forgive because forgiveness was given to us first through Christ JESUS (Colossians 3:13).

So, are you having just as much difficulty with compassion, love, and forgiveness as I am? Certainly, I have believed that I have been this way towards others and have forgiven, loved and extended compassion. But, then when I pray, the LORD brings to my remembrance faces and names. This is not a way for the LORD to say HE has not forgiven me; rather, it is a learning lesson. As I am reminded of my behavior, I am also reminded that I cannot do anything on my own except through the work of the HOLY SPIRIT and not by myself or I would boast about what I can do outside of the LORD (Ephesians 2:9). I am shown these things so that I may be more humble in my walk with and in the LORD. I do not want to stumble anyone in their walk and certainly, I remember the days where I have been in need and wanted compassion from others. I am given a great lesson about what my role in this life is. I yearn to learn how to live and love unconditionally so that others may see the LORD and not me.

Bless the LORD at all times!

Newness

There are many things that I am sure and of this I am very certain. Things are not the same and despite the difficulties and the hardships, I have one of the greatest confidences--if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation and everything that was known has been wiped away and newness has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is not a new concept. In Isaiah 43:18, the same is said--I can forget the things of the past and to move on to what is new. All these horrible things have been made clean and I can walk in newness. Certainly, I am not given a new body, but I am given so many new things! My life, as I know it, is changed and I have a new purpose and I have new desires. With those new things, comes better choices and willingness to listen to the sweet voice of the LORD as HE guides me to all truth (John 16:13). I can almost say, I have new spiritual ears--when I did not want to listen before because I simply could not hear, I can now. I have a newness of life and with this newness of life come new hope, new dreams, new aspirations. I see where hope is not found in others and it is a good thing to show others what hope is.