Loving
God and Others
"God loved us first, which enables us
to love Him, which then expresses itself in love for one another" [source].
"The focus of love in the Bible is
upward and outward instead of inward. Love is both an attitude and
and action to one another. And while love may include sentiment and
emotional affection, it is primarily volitional action for the glory
of God and good of others" [source].
Relationships
"It is always vital to keep in
mind that there is no such thing as a PERFECT person. We are all
flawed and imperfect. And, because there are no perfect
people, neither is there such a thing as a perfect
relationship. Relationships can't be perfect, because they
consist of imperfect people, who have flaws, faults,
flatsides, shortcomings, inadequacies, and weaknesses. But
Agape-love - the God kind of love ... says 'I'm not going to wait
until you are perfect in my eyes or in every tiny little thing I
want or think you ought to be, to love you, but rather I am going to
totally accept and love you right now' ... Because God loves
us like that ... with complete unmerited acceptance - it gives us
the spiritual 'atmosphere' and impetus we need to change and grow
spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. And, when we also extend
that same kind of love and acceptance unto others, it produces the
same ambience and results, which is what we really desire deep down
in our heart of hearts in all our relationships. Essentially, it's
the Law of Reciprocity of 'Golden Rule' in action - we are sowing
what it is that we want to reap, and we reap what it is that we have
sown" [source].
The Good Samaritan
"The story of the Good Samaritan,
which follows the command to love one's neighbor, illustrates not
only who is our neighbor, but what is meant by the word love.
Here, love means to extend oneself beyond the point of convenience
to accomplish what is deemed best for the neighbor. The idea is that
we should seek the good of others just as fully as we seek the good
(or what we may even mistakenly think is good) for ourselves - just
as naturally as we tend to care for our own personal well-being"
[source].
Thus saith the LORD,
Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask
for the old paths, where is the good way,
and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls
(Jeremiah 6:16)
©
Elizabeth McDonald
https://www.bayith.org
bayith@blueyonder.co.uk
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