After listening to a very inspiring message about what love is and isn’t in today’s service, I couldn’t help but think of my Father who has shown the one perfect and unconditional love there is: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. -John 15:13”. It’s just so amazing that someone perfect and holy would shed blood for you and me who don’t at the slightest deserve such grace. But by His stripes, we are healed. And it’s all because of love.
What struck me most to write my thoughts here is the realization upon looking back at the life of Jesus here on earth. What a perfect epitome of selfless love that if we would just be considerate of others and not think of ourselves first, the world would be a much better place with less conflicts and chaos.
If only we would just think of how a jeepney driver has to work just so he could provide 3 meals a day for his family, then perhaps we would refrain from growing impatient as he steps on the jeepney’s break every so often and waits for passengers to fill in. If only we would think of the situation of an old woman who has become weak of aging as we struggle to go ahead of her in the elevator, then perhaps we would slow our pace and let her get in first. If only we would think of the feelings of those we’ve hurt and the harm that we have brought to them, then perhaps we would be more forgiving when someone else has done us wrong. If only we would not be so selfish that we are too occupied thinking of our own comfort and favor, then perhaps we would have healthier relationships with other people since it is most likely that we would care for them enough to always check on their emotions and not ours.
Jesus was patient with the people’s imperfection, loved them selflessly and did not keep records of wrongs, as what the Bible says about Love in 1 Corinthians 13:4. If Jesus could forgive without looking back at a person’s fault, then why can’t we? Would we want Him use on us the standards we use on other people? I myself have difficulties in just forgetting the negative things that someone has done to me but I always remind myself that I have been hurting my Father in so many ways all the days of my life and yet I have been repeatedly forgiven and loved the same. He is my God and I should live that attitude that He has. In that way, people will see who He is through me and I can let Him use me in extending His kingdom.
I know it will be difficult for us to live and act as Christ did but I challenge you all (even myself) that we can. Not by ourselves but by the grace of God. We are weak but He is strong. We are imperfect but He is perfect. Let’s have that partnership with God and work together. After all, if Jesus our Savior could do all this by trusting and holding on to His Father while He was here on earth, then why can’t we? We are God’s children after all.
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