Love One Another

There is a quote by Victor Hugo, which says “Love each other dearly always. There is scarcely anything else in the world but that: to love one another.” Us, as Christians need to set an example to the world and love one another. No matter what they have done to you or if you don’t agree with what they do, you just need to love. Love isn’t one of those things where not loving someone is an option. You must love because God is love. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7a it says “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.” If you say have love, but aren’t patient, and kind; if you envy or boast, you don’t have love. Yes, not everyone is perfect, and neither am I; but if you really think, I say I have love but I am not kind, I am not patient. At least try, if you find yourself keeping record of others wrongs and being easily angered, just tell yourself “this is not love.” God is love; God does not boast, He does not dishonor others. I am even guilty of this myself, I am the type of person to be easily angered and I just need to tell myself “this is not love, God is love, be like your Father in heaven for He is perfect.” There is nothing wrong with love, you can never love at the wrong time. As long as you just love everyone in your life, you be loved as well. God will place people in your life that love you, yes you will have people in your life who maybe aren’t that loving when you first meet them, but if you love them, most of the time they will love you right back. “Love is contagious” it’s hard to be loved and not love back. But think about this; Jesus loved us all enough to die for us, but not a lot of people chose to love Him, so don’t be discouraged if not everyone you throw love and kindness at love you as much as you love them or not at all. In 1 Corinthians 16:14 it says “Do everything in love.” So no matter what you do, do EVERYTHING in love. No matter the situation. “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11) I challenge you; don’t become trapped in the worldly ways, but set an example for you peers, set an example for those older than you, set an example to your own church, and lastly set an example to those who younger, so that they may be like Jesus.

God Bless 

Olivia <>< 

"Will they know we are Christians by our love?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CobNWUXb1M

How difficult is it for you to love your fellow Christians? Really, how difficult is it? I’m challenging you to dig deep in your heart for the truth. Not the Sunday school answer, but the God’s honest truth. Are you at odds with other believers? Has someone in the body of Christ hurt your feelings and you are hauling around a grudge the size of a elephant? Do you ever think to yourself that Christians act just as bad sometimes as nonbelievers? Have you considered the hurt and pain you caused Jesus, yet He forgave you and showers you with love everyday? In light of that, would you be willing to reconsider your feelings toward that brother or sister in Christ? Matthew 5:44-45a says this “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” Love those who persecute you? This is hard to swallow sometimes. Ouch! But people have no idea what people so-and-so did to me; Why in the world would I pray for such a person like that? Why would I forgive them after all that? I think back to the gospels where Christ consistently chose to dine and socialize with the sinners over the religious. He loves all of us; even those of us who are making choices that are not aligned with his “teachings.” He said in John 8:7 “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw stone at her.” Christ did not call us to cast stones at each other. Rather, he called us to be loving, merciful, and compassionate. If we want to be Christ to others and bring others to Christ, we need to be love to others. So, the next time you are about to voice your opinion, I urge you to first ask yourself this crucial question. “Will they know I am a Christian by my love?”

Written by: Carmella Lopez