A Life of Love
...es “God loves us not because of anything we’ve done to earn that love, but because God, in total freedom, has decided to love us” (Nouwen 55). God sent his son to die on the cross for the human race. Jesus died in the most humiliating and degrading way for his culture. God had his one and only son give up his life so we could be free. Jesus demonstrated a tremendous amount of love for the people throughout the world and for his Father in heaven. Jesus’ life and death was driven by love while the world’s life was driven by hate. Jesus explained to his disciples that the world hated him first and that is why they will hate and reject the disciples when they share God’s truth. The reason why the world despises Jesus’ disciples is because, like Jesus, His disciples are not of the world. We need to live a life of love out of the world, as Christ Jesus did, to mature in our faith. Christ loved us so abundantly that he died on the cross; we need to willingly give God’s love back to Him. God did not simply love those who loved him and believed in him, but he loved everyone, even those who hated God. God loves the poor. Nouwen noticed when Jesus was suffering for our sins on the cross, not only did he reach his utmost poverty but Jesus also illustrated God’s utmost love. Jesus lost everything he had to become poor. He was stripped of his clothes, people made fun of him, spit on him, and his divinity was questioned. Jesus’ persecutors told him that if he was really the Son of God, then he should save himself. Jesus did not save himself because he knew persecution and crucifixion was part of God’s purpose for his life. Jesus knew that by becoming poor by losing all earthly possessions, he could learn more about his Father in heaven. As Jesus yearned to grow closer to his Father, we need to be passionate about growing closer to God, even if it means becoming poor according to the world’s standards. One time, a crowd member asked Jesus how someone can enter the kingdom of God. Jesus explained that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. The poor people are in just as much need of God’s love as the rich. Therefore, they need to be shown God’s love without hesitation, prejudice, or rejection just as Jesus showed his love to the world. By illustrating God’s amazing love, His followers can mature in our intimate love relationship with God our Father. Through love, we can grow in our understanding, build a stronger foundation for our faith, and share our personal testimony to everyone with confidence and courage God freely gives his disciples. Courage is necessary to love your enemies. Everybody can love those who love them and hate those who hate them with no difficulties, but God calls us to love everyone, even those who hate us. Marc was advised by his Uncle Nouwen to “love your enemies” (Nouwen 54). This advice is similar to the advice Jesus gave his disciples which was to love and pray for your enemies. In order to obey God’s command to love, we need to put God in control of every situation, whether it is good or bad, and trust Him with our lives. Mature Christians find it essential to put God in control of their lives. When we, God’s followers, put Him in control, we voluntarily take a spiritual step toward maturity. Finally, after you are one step closer to God, by giving up your life so put God is in control, and you seek to please Him in all you think, say, and do, you will find courage. You will possess enough courage to not only love those who love you but love, pray, and encourage your enemies. Love is a virtue. Paul was inspired by God to write an entire chapter on love. 1 Corinthians 13 explains the kind of love God desires in our lives. This love is patient, kind, protecting, trusting, hopeful, persevering, and never failing. It does not envy, boast, keep a record of wrongs, or is rude, and lacks pride, self-seeking motives, and anger problems. Genuine love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Since God has called us to live a life of love, these characteristics are crucial to build in our lives. The Good Samaritan parable is a perfect example of love. It demonstrates the extent of love that Paul explains. Without focusing on himself, the Samaritan willingly helps his neighbor, the beaten man. The Samaritan did ...