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. Love never fails.

 

1 Cor. 13:4-8

 

This is exactly what Jesus did on the cross as he was dying- he chose love for us, for those that were crucifying him, mocking him, and reveling in his suffering.  This is love at its best. 

 

When Jesus said Love One Another and Paul followed with this explanation of love it may seem impossible.  As humans, how can we possibly do all of these things all the time?  The answer is- we cannot, because of our fallen state.  However, with the help of the Holy Spirit in the form of love and wisdom, we can begin to do so.  We can love because He first loved us. 

 

Somewhere I read that to love is to put others' needs above your own.  This is why Jesus said "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15:13 This is because in Jesus' life and death, he put aside his own desires- his desire to live, to escape the pain, and all other human desires he would have been feeling- for us.  As he is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, he is now asking that we would follow his model and love those around us with this kind of love.  Few of us are asked to actually lay down our lives for our friends (or enemies in Jesus' case), however we are asked to lay down our time, our valuables, our finances, our "toys" to help those around us. 

 

In the sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us to love even our enemies.  In other words, put the needs of you enemies above your own.  If you have no real "enemies", think of the people you do not like, or those that really get under your skin.  Begin to pray for them and that God would give you a heart for them that you may bless them.  David did this as he was running from King Saul- he continued to honor the king as God's chosen and beloved. 

 

As Christians- as God's chosen, sanctified people, we are called to live differently than the world around us.  The world is becoming so dark, lets rise up together on this Easter, Resurrection Weekend and choose to put others' needs above our own.  Lets choose Love and follow in our Savior's footsteps that He may be glorified.

 

I challenge you today to choose one person that you would otherwise not pray for, and begin praying for that person.  Then watch how God hears your prayers, changes your heart, and impacts lives!!