To Love Like Jesus Loves is Sadly Counter Culture

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

John 15:12

To love others the way Jesus loves is possible. But it is a supernatural request from a supernatural Savior to His children.

The requirement is that we must be humble. And, believe me, it is so much better that we humble ourselves with prayers of repentance to God and to quickly forgive others, than it is for God to humble us! Ouch!

I'm speaking from experience. When Jesus called my name and saved me He already knew everything about me. Of course He did, He created me! He knew about my anxious, insecure longing to have my own daddy's love and approval. I was a five-year-old when my daddy abandoned our family, and as I grew all kinds of dysfunctions developed in my personality. I became self-protective, since my daddy wasn't taking care of my needs, and looked to people and as well as myself to be for me what only God could provide. That kind of thinking produces pride, unrealistic expectations of self and unrealistic expectations of other people. And that creates pride, impatience, and more selfish thinking. 

But the Good News is: For more than 30 years I've been on a grace-filled journey to grow in my heavenly Father's love and care for me. God has become my Abba, in my heart and in my mind. My journey of love for Jesus continues to grow with relentless reading and studying of God's word, fervent prayers, and being teachable with God as my Instructor, Guide, Counselor, and Caretaker (Psalm 32:8). 

I know this will continue to be a lifelong sojourning of mountaintop blessings and dark valleys, but through them I am learning about the supernatural gift of being a child of God. And, now I know when triggers of pride are  popping up in my heart -- anxious thoughts, worry, fretting, self-centered thinking.  It tells me I'm loving myself more than I'm loving God and others, which of course is pride. And by the grace of God, I repent and humble myself again, remembering my true calling in life is to glorify God and enjoy Him with every ounce of my being! WOW. Yes!

This kind of supernatural thinking is sadly counter culture. And I say sadly because I know exactly what it is like to not know God and to be entangled in a ridiculous man-made frenzy to accumulate worldly things and believe the lie they will love me back and give me value. It's a self-protective society operating in fear and distrust. It's crowds of people running in a self-absorbed rat race! It's awful.

 As He continues His loving care over us our Father warns us: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love of the Father is not in them. For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever" (1 John 15-17). 

To be humble is to acknowledge we're sinners in great need of the Savior of the world, Jesus, to forgive us. To be humble is to confess we are totally dependent on Him for everything. All the time. Every moment. It means we believe He is The Almighty God, enthroned with overwhelming universal power, abounding love, ongoing forgiveness, long suffering, full of kindness, provider of security and protection.

To be humble is to stop being self-protective,to  pray, and start trusting Jesus to take care of everything that concerns us. No matter what it is we are confident Christ will take care of it, giving us security, joy, and thankfulness. That is freedom, Baby.  

Wow. But to love people like Jesus loves people? Yes! God never tells us to do something that we are not able to do! His grace gives us all the faith, strength, courage, love, and wisdom to faithfully do what He commands. 

But without His daily fresh supply of grace to our hearts, it is impossible. Which means, we have to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior. And we won't have all the gifts that come with His grace if we're not humble.  "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). 

Jesus was humble. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: ...taking the very nature of a servant...he humbled himself by becoming obedient..."

(Philippians 4:3-9).

He has equipped us to love people like He loves. "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love" (1 John 4:7-8).

 He forgives us for offending Him with our sinful attitudes and behavior! "I, even I am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (Isaiah 43:25). 

We will love others with the love of Christ when we're humble.

We will receive love from others when we're humble.

We will repent of our sins when we're humble.

We will quickly forgive others when we're humble.

We will honor Christ when we're humble.

We will be a blessing to the world when we're humble.

We will be a light in the darkness when we're humble.

The Father loves us supernaturally and unconditionally. We can love others supernaturally and unconditionally, too. Even when we don't feel like it, if we'll just humble ourselves.

" As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in My love. If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete"

John 15:9-11 

p.s.

Is it just me that believes that I'm more thankful and joyful when I have a spirit of humility?  You know what I mean? When I've humbled myself there's a banner of love and freedom inside of me waving like crazy! 

Whoo Hoo! 

Polly💖

Matthew 5:16