....Than to lay down one's life for one's friend...
One time a very good friend told me that if someone was about to shoot me, she'd hop in front of the bullet. I appreciate her saying this but my response wasn't taken well. I can't remember what I said specifically but what I wanted to communicate was if that was to happen, in whatever shape I was in I would step in front of her to shield her from the bullet. It was kinda like, "I'll take a bullet for you" "No, I'll take a bullet for you!"
I realize that has been done for me. Jesus gave up his life for me. He died so that I may live. THAT'S love. I have this struggle however.... loving other people unconditionally. If you're not related to me by blood or someone I've grown very close to.... I don't love you unconditionally. I believe that this is something I've struggled with for many, many, many years (and I'm only 21). I received a revelation which basically allowed me to understand that.. if I can't love people and better my relationships with people here on earth, how will I ever grow and develop in my relationship with God? How is it even possible that I love God but not his own people? How? I'm honestly near tears typing this because I want to love everyone. I want to look at people and not be immediately annoyed or irritated by their presence. I don't want to love in spite of all their imperfections but love people because I've been commanded to do so. (Owe no man anything BUT love) How do I get to that point? Where I can see someone and honestly deep down in my heart love them. Where ever that point is, I'm not there yet. I'm trying my best to get there. My very best because it hurts that I don't love people. What is life without love? I must work at this so that I may better serve, glorify and even love God .
Many people will read this and be shocked. 1. Because I can show love but I'm not sure I really feel that the love is unconditional. I might be showing love out of respect for you....or because you've given me something... conditions. I don't know of another reason.
I want to clarify that it is not that i'm incapable of loving... my struggle is hearing the commandment to love (EVERYONE) then being obedient to that commandment. I also don't want it to seem like I'm being selfish and that I only want to come to love people so that my relationship with God can be strengthen. I genuinely yearn to love people unconditionally. I want to be able to smile and wave at a person who cuts me off on the road with a warm heart out of unconditional love towards them ! After all, this is what Jesus did. His heart was open and loving me before I even existed and started doing all my sinning.
I'm gonna end this here. It has been something I just wanted to get out. This is also me being a little bit transparent. Transparency is another struggle of mine but that's neither here nor there.
I thank you for taking the time to read this.
Peace of Christ.
I can't say love of Christ because I'm not sure I love you... whoever you are but one day... one glorious day.
One time a very good friend told me that if someone was about to shoot me, she'd hop in front of the bullet. I appreciate her saying this but my response wasn't taken well. I can't remember what I said specifically but what I wanted to communicate was if that was to happen, in whatever shape I was in I would step in front of her to shield her from the bullet. It was kinda like, "I'll take a bullet for you" "No, I'll take a bullet for you!"
I realize that has been done for me. Jesus gave up his life for me. He died so that I may live. THAT'S love. I have this struggle however.... loving other people unconditionally. If you're not related to me by blood or someone I've grown very close to.... I don't love you unconditionally. I believe that this is something I've struggled with for many, many, many years (and I'm only 21). I received a revelation which basically allowed me to understand that.. if I can't love people and better my relationships with people here on earth, how will I ever grow and develop in my relationship with God? How is it even possible that I love God but not his own people? How? I'm honestly near tears typing this because I want to love everyone. I want to look at people and not be immediately annoyed or irritated by their presence. I don't want to love in spite of all their imperfections but love people because I've been commanded to do so. (Owe no man anything BUT love) How do I get to that point? Where I can see someone and honestly deep down in my heart love them. Where ever that point is, I'm not there yet. I'm trying my best to get there. My very best because it hurts that I don't love people. What is life without love? I must work at this so that I may better serve, glorify and even love God .
Many people will read this and be shocked. 1. Because I can show love but I'm not sure I really feel that the love is unconditional. I might be showing love out of respect for you....or because you've given me something... conditions. I don't know of another reason.
I want to clarify that it is not that i'm incapable of loving... my struggle is hearing the commandment to love (EVERYONE) then being obedient to that commandment. I also don't want it to seem like I'm being selfish and that I only want to come to love people so that my relationship with God can be strengthen. I genuinely yearn to love people unconditionally. I want to be able to smile and wave at a person who cuts me off on the road with a warm heart out of unconditional love towards them ! After all, this is what Jesus did. His heart was open and loving me before I even existed and started doing all my sinning.
I'm gonna end this here. It has been something I just wanted to get out. This is also me being a little bit transparent. Transparency is another struggle of mine but that's neither here nor there.
I thank you for taking the time to read this.
Peace of Christ.
I can't say love of Christ because I'm not sure I love you... whoever you are but one day... one glorious day.