Can You Love?

Passion...

This word in one form or another keeps coming across my path. I was reading my daily devotion which happened to be about love, specifically God's love. Agape love, unconditional love, can only be experienced and expressed through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit living within us enables us to love others as God does. The devotional went so far to say that anyone who doesn't know God can't love others the way God does. This is a pretty powerful statement considering that God's love is the one we are to model in our marriages, families, and friendships. A very interesting point. One that caught my attention and I as pondered, it became the focus for this blog.

Anyone who doesn't know God can't love others the way God does.

At first when I read that statement, I thought it was a little harsh. However, as I studied it further and allowed the Holy Spirit to teach me something, my eyes were opened to the many examples around me which demonstrates this truth.  If one isn't a follower of Jesus, one simply can't love. Sure, they can love in the way the world does. Friendship love and erotic love are good, but eventually will fade away. Friendships end and unfortunately so do many marriages.  First Corinthians 13 lays out a perfect way to love, but I have fallen short of that so many times. It is comforting to know, however, that's how God loves me. Despite my failings, he loves me unconditionally and has set guidelines for me to love others in the same way. So, how do I know that we are a people desperate for agape love? Because not every one is a follower of Jesus. We live in a world that tries to fill the void of love with artificial things. Although I won't fully get up on the pedestal here, I will say that I have even seen this in my own family. The members of my family who don't have a life-giving relationship with the Lord, seek after material things to find fulfillment. I see them hurting and I have the answer, but they don't want to accept it. That's when you know that you love like God loves, your heart breaks for the things that break His. When marriages are hurting and on the brink of failure, your heart hurts. When children are given more things instead of quality time, your heart hurts. When people are being held captive by a spirit of depression, your heart hurts. These are just a few things that hurt my heart. We are a generation desperate for God's passionate agape love. We need to humble ourselves enough to say that we need God. When we do, a love that you've never experienced will overflow in your life. A love that only comes from the Father. A love that covers a multitude of sin. A love that is patient and kind. A love that is not easily angered. A love that casts out all fear! A love that sacrificed, so that we could live! That's Love! That's God! That's Awesome!

Let's live out 1 Timothy 4:12b "Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." Let's be set a part by the way we love because we follow the author of love! We experience so we can express. Look for ways to express agape love today and tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the next day.... :)

Until the whole world hears, 
Emily