Be the 'highlight reel' and exemplify God's love

One of the greatest desires of my heart, is to truly love like Jesus. But how? How can It be possible to love like a perfect man?

I think about what it looks like, and it’s insane through human perspective. Jesus says, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, build up those who tear you down. What a painful concept. It’s easy to have the mindset of, “well, how can I love them if they hate me, and why would I bless them if it doesn’t bring anything to the table for me?”

And there in lies the trouble that we so often face. For love, true, Godly love is not about what it does for me, it is about complete abandonment of self. We, of course, see Jesus representing this in His great sacrifice on the cross. He cries out, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”  He sacrificed, suffered, endured emptiness and separation from the Father out of His love for us. And He did that despite the unfaithfulness that was to come from His followers, and in the midst of pain and persecution on Him, a perfect, sinless, spotless lamb.

So let’s start out with our loved ones. In a marriage, or a friendship, or any other kind of relationship, it can be easy to fall into “what can I get out of this.” But the Bible is so clear in its opposition to this stance (yes we are going to that age old passage):

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT)

We so often note this passage because it is a clear, and concise guideline to bring us into oneness with Gods spirit. So, in our relationships, that is a key point, to not demand your own way. If you want a good marriage, you fill one another without expectation for yourself to be filled, as we love, Gods love will fill us, even if we don’t get it from here.  And it is to endure all things, that means heartbreak, betrayal, lack, joy, and plenty. All things, the good, the bad, the ugly. 

This remains the same for our enemies. Only love will change hearts, only love will be the example of Christ to those watching. If I get pushed, I can push back, it might seem “just,” but it puts a foul taste of what it means to be a believer. No, instead I’d rather be known as a man who is relentless in kindness, gentleness, generosity, and love. 

A common saying I’ve heard, “you might be the only Bible they ever read.” So, let’s be the highlight real, let’s depict Gods goodness, let’s depict a sacrificial love that breaks expectation. A love that gives truth with gentleness of spirit. When I am broken, I will heal, when I am poor, I will give, when I am empty, I will fill. Like I said, it’s backward, it’s always backward with the kingdom of heaven, the last shall be first, and the first shall be last. Let’s be honored to be the last, if it means that we bring others forward to be first.

Justin Gardner pastors at River of Life Fellowship, 702 Church St., Sandpoint. The church can be reached at 208-255-7111.