The Power of Love

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

Confrontation that Rewards

There are times when I love confrontation. Truth be told, I have a warrior personality and love good debates. The problem is that "debate" usually devolves into argument and argument devolves into fighting and sometimes fighting can begin wars that seem to go on for ever. 

I believe this is why James cautioned so strongly against strife. "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." James 3:16 

Yet we know from Jesus's life there is confrontation that is acceptable. He did not begin overturning tables in the Temple because he needed the exercise, though this was the extreme version of confrontation. Actually he confronted opposing ideas with almost every encounter with the "religious" people. Then, in the desert, when he fasted for forty days, he confronted the enemy directly. Every time we see Jesus confront something (like an idea) or someone (like a Pharisee or even Satan himself) he did so with the word. 

So how are we to handle confrontation? With the word and with love. 

'No, we will speak the truth with love. We will grow to be like Christ in every way..." Ephesians 4:15 ERV

It's All About the Love

Love is counter-intuitive to our human nature. We expect love from loved ones, but from strangers? From enemies? No. 

This is the thing that makes us different from the world.  Jesus said

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike]. For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? And if you greet only your brethren, what more than others are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles (the heathen) do that? You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:44-48 AMP

I confess I have not always lived up to this standard. As a matter of fact, I cannot say I have ever fully lived up to this once. But I strive to. My prayer is that I will love like God, and begin to see the value of others even when they are rude, crude, or downright mean to me. 

Where is the Disconnect?

 Jesus commands us to walk in love. It is clear as day. And if we are to be like Christ, who asked for God to forgive the very people who were murdering him as they did it, we have a long way to go. Why do we have such a difficult time walking in this love? 

I don't know about you, but for me it is ego. 

Somehow I have believed the lie that I have a right to be angry. I have a right to stand up for myself. I have a right to speak my mind. As a citizen of the USA, these may be true, but as a citizen of heaven, a child of a Godly kingdom, these things are NOT true. 

I have been bought with a price. I am not my own anymore. I represent more than just myself. The old "Dayna" is dead and therefor all of her rights have passed. Now I have an advocate named Jesus who stands in the gap for me. I have no right to my body, it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I have no right to be angry at another person to the point I become bitter. My heart (and the emotions of it) belong to God. I have no right to think I am better than someone else because I was lost and dying and but for the grace of God I would be no different than anyone else. I am no different than anyone else. 

To think of myself more highly than I ought to is sin. It places me (my rights, my thoughts, my opinions) above what God says. No wonder I have a hard time loving others, I am too busy with self-aggrandizement. 

Matthew 6 says "Seek ye first the kingdom of God"  not "seek ye first the rights of Dayna"...

My Prayer

Lord, let me love like you. Let me see myself as you do, but always remembering the grace and love that got me here. Father help me see the value in people and remember that if I love like you, then more people will come to know your love and know you as a result. Love replicates love. Forgive me for thinking and living as if I have any rights to put myself before others. Help me to serve others (Christians or not) with love. Help me love lavishly and with extraordinary patience. In the name of Jesus, your son, who gave us victory when He gave His life and in whom I live and breathe and have my very being. Amen. 

This is a scripture I came across last night that I hope gives you hope... 

"Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life." James 1:12 The Message

Join the Conversation

Why do you think it is so hard to show love to other people? 

The Good News or the Bad News First?

The Impact of Your Thought Life

What we think on, we mull over, we focus on, these are the things that have tremendous impact on  us. 

Paul understood this. He could have focused on his circumstances. He had been beaten, imprisoned, he had been betrayed and he knew he had a choice. Just as we have a choice. We can either think about the bad things or the good. 

He chose to look at things from the perspective that Jesus was a greater reward than the situation was bad. In other words, there was more value in Christ than there was in his circumstances. 

Application and Practice

I am not a naturally sunny person. Without Christ actively given a place in my life I am moody and morose. Neurotic would be a good word. I focused on myself. I thought things like "What's in it for me?" "Why are they treating me badly?" "Why can't people see things my way?"  

These attitudes were not just my heart. I had an un-renewed mind. I was focused on my circumstances rather than what God had to say about things. That is where this verse comes in: Philippians 4:8 

Sometimes the things the Bible say to do we rather ignore. Face it, no one really wants to love their enemy, or treat their neighbors as they would treat themselves. Getting a hold of these things takes real time application of prayer and the Spirit at work in our lives. Since we are human we will get it wrong more than we get it right. 

So why try anyway? 

Because there is so much freedom in it. God doesn't tell us to ignore the bad situations. Jesus said there would be trouble in this world, but be of good cheer anyway, because I have overcome the world!  (read it here) 

By focusing on the promises of God, the honest things, the pure things, the lovely things, the just things, then we remember God brought us through before. That good report reminds us He is faithful. This is the truth we stand on: God does not forsake His children or leave them begging bread. Now we have reason to praise, now we have reason to sing. 

Since praise brings breakthrough, we now can understand why our thought life has such power. 

If you think I don't understand your situation, or your circumstances, then you may be right. Yet, I know without a doubt that God does know. He made a way of escape for you. Maybe not a physical escape from the mess you are in, but a spiritual and emotional freedom is available to you. 

Sometimes the circumstances don't change because they are not what God is focused on. His focus has always been mankind's hearts. He wants us to change. To change our minds, and to change our hearts. Then, He can begin to bring us through the circumstances. 

Join the Conversation: 

Are you a naturally optimistic (positive) or pessimistic (negative) person? How has that worked for you?

Like what you read here?  More great content is available several times a week, but I understand how busy you are. That is why I offer a free newsletter that sends you an email of the same great content straight to your inbox! You won't have to worry about missing a thing. I will never share your information with anyone, and if you sign up today, you can get a free copy of my children's eBook The Gardener and the Sapling: A Modern Parable. Click the link below and subscribe now!


Subscribe to our newsletter