“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans do the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans do so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:44-48
Sometimes loving others is really difficult. You can share your love, your friendship, your time, your honesty, etc; and, it is repaid without regard to your love or life. Whether you love the person romantically, platonically, or in kinship; you must honor and respect each person you call “friend, family, or love." It adds to your character and will eventually enhance your heart's capability. If it is a family member, then be prepared to extend a quadruple dose of love. Family can be the hardest to love; because, they know where all the tender spots are in your armor.
Sometimes, there will be times when it really hurts to love someone; because, simply put, the other person just doesn't get it. They simply cannot understand why you have chosen to elevate them to a place of love and honor. However, we have to keep trying to extend our love until we get the hang of it. —Until it becomes so easy to love that, nothing anyone does can change it.
And remember, although the act of love is supposed to be reciprocal, the art of loving someone is not necessarily done for them, it is done for you! —So, do not wait on reciprocity. There will be times in your life when you will open your heart and receive nothing memorable in return. Yet, keep in mind that, it is your heart that you are empowering to exhibit the most powerful privilege in the universe —Love. When you make the decision to love others, (and, it really is a decision), you literally link yourself to God’s Eternal Power, Jesus Christ. Your love, whether it is acknowledged by others or not, when offered in Spirit and in Truth, truly does change everything!
Today, ask God to bless you in extending the privilege to Love as many people as possible, for as long as possible. It teaches you to extend your heart’s capacity to love; and, more importantly, it teaches you how to love others the way God loves you. L.
Study Reference: Matthew 5:44-48
From: "Loving Others." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: bigstock
RSS Feed
