LOVING THOSE YOU LOVE TO HATE (Love, Anyone? Part 3)

What’s Inside: 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. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7). This is how we show love to everyone around us. We went into detail with the first two verses of this passage in parts one and two of this post series (click here if you missed it). This week we conclude our talk about love for our neighbor being the first indication that we have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Our neighbor is not just anyone around us but everyone around us including our enemies. It is easy to love this nice people. But, how do you show love for that boss who makes you feel less than, that coworker who constantly tries to undermine you, that parent who refuses to support your choices or that clerk with the nasty attitude? Let's explore 1 Corinthians 13:7.

LOVE, ANYONE? Part 2

What’s Inside: Love. The conversation continues. We are not talking about just any love. We are talking about the love for which we are held responsible as Children of God, the love that is the marker of our faith and the evidence of a Christian. How can you tell if someone really has a relationship God? “By this everyone will know that you are my (Jesus) disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Is it possible to show love to everyone around you? Yes – through your patience, kindness, genuine happiness for others and humility. (If you missed Part 1 to this post series, check it out here). There are so many ways in which we share our love for one another. Lets explore a few more.  

LOVE, ANYONE? Part 1

What's Inside: Love. It is the greatest commandment and the greatest virtue. It is the foundation of the Christian faith. It is the message that will reach the people around us far sooner than our many words. But, how do we express it on a daily basis? How do we appropriately show love to a neighbor or a stranger? How do we show love to our enemies? I have a few guesses. And, I say we start with an easy one – 1 Corinthians 13. We know it as the wedding passage, but it’s application reaches much further than our intimate relationships.

THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING

What's Inside: How can you tell if someone is really a Christian? Is it based on their level of success? How godly he or she speaks, talks or acts? Are the Christians the ones who do the most community service work or go to church three times a week? How do you know when someone is actually walking the walk and not just talking about it?

NOTHING BUT LOVE, BABY

What’s Inside: I talked a lot about what the Christian faith is not. I did more talking about what a relationship with God could look like. But then, I pointed out that the all-important relationship with God is not something we can arrive to. If the rain falls on both the just and the unjust and success and failure come both believers and non-believers, what is the litmus test that we are headed in the right direction with God? Does one even exist? I hope you enjoy this read.

I FALL, YOU FALL, WE ALL FALL TOGETHER

What a disappointment it is to see the image of God’s kingdom once again tainted by scandal (And I don’t mean the fun and entertaining fictional show). It sucks because every time a prominent member in the kingdom “falls” (makes a foolish decision or drastic change in his or her life) it reflects poorly on Christians as a whole. The word Christian has become synonymous with hypocrite. And, non-believers echo once again, “See that’s why I don’t go to church.” It’s sad that so many are just looking for a reason not to follow Christ.