I looked up the word friend to find the true "technical" definition of the word. A friend is a "person who is attached to another by feelings of affection; a person who gives assistance, a supporter; a person who is on good terms with another, not hostile." As I began to read through these definitions, with this song rolling over and over in my head, I couldn't help but identify those descriptors with many people in my life. I know the song, in particular, is referring to the fact that it is so easy to love Jesus, but He also makes it very explicit in His word that we are to love others as well. From the front to the back of the Bible, we are continually admonished to love.
The word "love" is a word that has been overused, misused, abused and even sometimes underused. I have been abundantly blessed with people in my life that I can truly say I love in every sense of the word. My kids; my grandbaby; my family; many, many friends; there are even some people no longer in my life on a regular basis, that I can honestly say I love. There are many different types of love: Erros (romantic), Philos (friendship) and Agape (unconditional). As my mind began to run through the list of those I love, I could easily assign these categories to them. Of these three categories, the greatest type of love is Agape - unconditional.
How many of these people in my life do I have an "Agape" love for? How many can I truly say I love unconditionally? And what does "unconditional" really mean? As I began to search my heart and focus on these terms, I knew exactly what it means. To love someone unconditionally means to love them without boundaries, with no limitations, regardless of the rights or the wrongs, agreements or disagreements. Unconditional, Agape, love strips away the negative thoughts, emotions and feelings. It doesn't keep record of any wrongs done or attempt to avenge any slights. Put in those terms, do we really display Agape love to those around us? Do we let those we love know how much we love them? Do we wait until it is too late to show our love?
As I asked myself these questions, and really began to focus my attention on this topic, I realized I probably don't do as good of a job as I should in showing unconditional love. I can assure you that I couldn't promise that I could love like Christ loved. I don't know that I could give my only son to die on a cross for the sins of the world. I couldn't imagine sacrificing my grand-baby to prove my love for someone else. The good news is that the sacrifice has already been given. But with that sacrifice was the shining example of unconditional love! I don't believe that God intends for any of us to prove our love in literal terms of sacrificing our children or loved ones. However, I do believe that many times there are things in our lives that we need to "sacrifice" to show others the depth of our love. If we are to love like Christ loved the church, or to love our neighbor as ourselves - as we have been admonished in His Word, then we have to be willing to do whatever it takes to show unconditional love. I must say - I have been convicted.
**Father, I humbly come before you with a repentant heart.
Your word admonishes us time and time again to love;
The greatest attribute we can possess is the ability
to love as you have loved, with an Agape love.
Help me to show forth your love for those around me;
my family, my friends, my church family, my co-workers,
Help me to lead by example of what it really means
to love unconditionally - without limits.
Your love knows no limits, no boundaries.
In Jesus' Name I ask - Amen**
No comments:
Post a Comment