Love Sustains

 ^"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, NIV). 

 ^"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8, NIV).

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God" (1 John 4:7, NIV)

"Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs." (Proverbs 10:12, NIV)

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love" (1 John 4:8, NIV)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, NIV)

"Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" (Matthew 22:37-39, NIV).

Love sustains us as followers of Jesus. To love others is the reflection of Jesus in us to others. His love is infinite for us and we are commanded throughout the bible to love.  Sometimes it may seem difficult to love, but we are commanded by the Lord and Creator of the universe to love.

I love the Lord and because I love Jesus, I love others and have compassion for them. This is important in our walk with Jesus, to love others.  Yet we have all had situations where we have found love to be difficult. Maybe you were wronged by someone or you have encountered people who are hateful and just have a mean disposition about them. Regardless though, we are to have an attitude of love towards everyone, even those who are hateful and mean.

By showing and having an attitude of love, we reflect the love of Jesus to people as Christians and by doing so people will be drawn to us and that can turn to people coming to Jesus.  We all know people radiate there attitude.  Some people project negativity and some people reflect positive vibes, such as love, as commanded by Jesus.

As Christians, non-Christians are always watching us. They look for reasons to call us hypocrites and not true Christians by our attitude and actions. If we are negative and give off negative vibes, then others may be turned off to seek the Lord. If though we have an attitude of love and project that love to others, no matter what, then non-Christians will wonder and be drawn to us to by the Holy Spirit which will then give us the opportunity to introduce Jesus to them and the love He has for them. Just a thought and my opinion.

What can someone do to hurt you? A lot, but with an attitude of love, those that hate you or have hate in themselves cannot get the negative reaction out of you they are seeking. If you show love instead of negative reactions, you break that cycle of negativity and replace those thoughts with a loving attitude.  For if you love, how can someone hurt you? They can't.

Overall, love sustains us in our relationship with Jesus. Without love we cannot have Jesus and we cannot partake in His blessings for us if we do not love others unconditionally. This means that even if someone is mean or hates you, your reaction should be of love. There can be no ill will or redirected anger from others if you just have an attitude of love and love those that hate you. 

When you love, as commanded by Jesus, you can overcome the negative things in this world and people in this world. You will be more compassionate and your relationship and walk with Jesus will grow stronger and fuller. Give love a try. Not only is it a command from God, but it is important in your walk with Jesus.