The root of sin of man is “doubting God”, but pride and self-centeredness are right behind. Missionary Jim Elliot, who gave his life ministering to the Auca Indians in South America, said: “He is no fool who loses that which he cannot keep, to keep that which he cannot lose.” As the Apostle Paul said, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which He’s committed unto me and I’ve committed to Him against that day of righteous judgement.”
As sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven, Jesus said, love your enemies, do good to those who persecute you and despitefully use you, for great is your reward in heaven. Despite our own sinful prideful nature, in that while we were yet sinners, Jesus Christ died for the ungodly. Without God having loved us first, in the fallen nature inherited from Adam, we would have no capacity to love God and to love others. The unconditional love of God given to us enables us to love Him in return. This agape love of God is not conditional on the world’s brokenness. It’s above the scope of worldly things and worldly pride.
According to the “charity checklist” in 1 Corinthians 13, love is patient, and is kind. Love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up. Love doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, is not easily provoked. Love does not think evil of others... it is always eager to believe the best. Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believeth all things, hopes all things, and endures all things... And now abides faith, hope, and charity (the love of God), but the greatest of these is the agape love of God.
To love like Jesus, we must separate ourselves from the love of this world and the love of self. The Apostle Paul said, recompense to no man evil for evil, provide things honest in the sight of God and men... You cannot defeat evil with evil. As Abraham Lincoln said, “the best way to defeat your enemy is to make him your friend.”
To reconcile with others, we must meet each other at the foot of the cross. Without the love of Jesus Christ, we cannot love with Christ’s hands behind our hands, his feet behind our feet, His compassion behind our compassion ... His heart behind our heart .Love of Christ, .. There is only peace through the Prince of Peace. Peace is the absolute end of strife and contention and division between God and men. Peace is not of this world for Jesus said, “My peace I live with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”; that with the Love of Christ in us the hope of glory,
We may live and love to the praise of the glory of His grace.
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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