Love is about action not just words. It takes effort and a heart of patience to love others. God loves with unconditional love. In our human state it is hard for us to love unconditionally. Though this is true Jesus commanded us to love. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:34-35).” We think we have a choice to walk in love, but Jesus commanded us to do it each and every day.
What does God’s word say about love?
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
It is not God that makes life difficult. It is the hardships we face with people. It is also the life we have lived that makes it difficult. The world is full of hurting people and hurt people often hurt others. Sometimes little children innocent in every way are at the hands of wicked parents or relatives who do evil things.
Sometimes we are faced with people who have had a life of hurt and pain. These people see through the lens of their traumatic past. This leads them to cause pain for others because pain is the lens, which they see life through.
When we think about this, we can have every excuse to walk around like a wrecking ball pushing our pain around to other people, but it is wrong. All the people we encounter do not deserve that. It also would not be right to hang onto it and try to go back and hurt those who caused the pain we feel.
God’s word says it this way: Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:31-32). Carrying hurt and pain around does no good. It hinders us from walking in love. It takes us from what God wants us to be free from which is our past.
How do we walk in love some might ask?
We all know dealing with people is no easy task. We have all been on the receiving end of a frustrated or angry person. Sometimes their angry and frustrated because life is hard for them in that moment. Sometimes they may be fearful about not getting their needs met. Other times they are holding years of pain, and they do not know they are spilling it out all on you. Yes, sometimes it is deliberate and intentional and that does not feel good.
It is an everyday journey, and it takes a lot of work. You will not completely arrive. Every day you have to make a conscious decision to love. Sometimes it takes starting your day with positive affirmations when you wake up. Reading an inspirational message and being hopeful that no matter what life brings you will walk in love each day.
This is hard for me, and it will be hard for you when you first start. As time rolls on it will get easier. Some days your common reactions will rise up but with practice that will happen less and less. Do not get frustrated when it does. Ask God to forgive you and start fresh the next day. I miss trying to walk in love a lot of days, but I start again the next day. Sometimes I say Lord I gave it my best shot and today it was rough.
Jesus knew to command us to walk in love because He knew we would get hurt. Jesus’ needed believers out there making a difference. He needs us to be the difference the world needs. There are a lot of wrecking balls walking around. As believers we need to let our light shine and outweigh those who are hurting so bad, they struggle to have a heart to love.
Walk in love because Jesus commanded it, and it is what the world needs.
Resilient Inspired Spiritual Excellence R.I.S.E. 