It's everywhere these days, things we may not agree with. It seems everyone had an opinion about everything. Some issues are an opinion, while some are truths deeply rooted in God's commands.
While we may not agree with everything, when did our thoughts, opinions, and what we believe is right, supersede love.
As much as I believe we should stand up for biblical beliefs and truths, I also feel that our greatest testimony is how we love others. I believe Jesus showed us by example how to love others despite right and wrong. This was no more evident than at the last supper. He knew that Judas had betrayed him, he knew that Peter would deny him, yet he didn't focus on any of that. He chose to show love. He washed their feet.
"When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13:12-17 NIV)
What makes this even more powerful is when you think about how dirty their feet were. Their feet were not like ours, covered by socks and shoes. They walked everywhere, wearing sandals or sometimes even barefoot, walking on dirt. Their feet were likely black and stinky! This is love...
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35 NIV)
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
"This is my command: Love each other." (John 15:11-12, 17 NIV)
But then, Jesus showed love in a way no one could ever imagine or understand. He sacrificed His life. He died a brutal and unimaginable death because He loved US!
"When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."(John 19:30 NIV)
He died for the murderer, the liar, the prostitute, the gossip, the idolist, the selfish, the alcoholic, the drug addict, the homosexual. He died for ALL of us.
He is available for everyone. It is between them and God what happens next. Our job is not to judge, but to love!
"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:1-8, 13 NIV)
Love one another, above all!
Peace, Grace, Joy, (and love💖),
Lori