Good afternoon everyone, God bless each one of you and may your peace reign in your hearts. Today I want to share these words that have come into my life and that left me thinking a lot.
Jesus calls us to make love, the hallmark of our lives. Most of us do well when it comes to loving people in the abstract, like loving all mankind. But how do we do it when it comes to loving people in a concrete and practical way?
Only between you and God, evaluate yourself, on a scale of one to ten, the following ten expressions of love.
Ask God how you are doing when it comes to love:
Are you a great listener? Do you put all your attention when other people talk to you? Do you scan and ask follow-up questions? Do the people around you consider you a great listener?
The first duty of love is to listen.
Do you serve people? Are you always looking to serve people in a practical way, from helping with the dishes and calling someone to help a single parent? Do you find ways to serve in the church? Do you support your employees? Are you more a giver, than one who asks others?
Are you one who forgives from the heart? Forgiveness can be the greatest test of love and the most difficult. Do you freely forgive people who hurt you? Or do you have a grudge, keep the list of previous events and treat silence? Forgive people, the way your dog forgives you.
Do you pray often and fervently for people? Prayer for someone, especially someone with a great need, could be the most powerful way you can love them, however, it is not seen and is not done frequently. When you tell someone that you will pray for them, do you pray wholeheartedly and then ask them how the prayer was answered?
Do you accept people who are different? Do you enjoy differences in people and easily accept other people who are different in ethnicity, race, economic status, political affiliation, personality and more? Do you delight in the glorious way God has made us different?
Can you verbalize your love? Do you say the words "I love you"? Do you write the words "I love you"? These are the most vital words you should have available.
Do you touch people to express love? Contact, like a hug or touching the shoulder, is powerful. Jesus touched the leper, who exploded in his heart with tender compassion. Do you regularly use the power of contact?
Are you an animator? Those who lift their spirits are loving and those who lift their spirits. Are you always alert, to encourage and affirm people? Do you speak to people's fears and give them hope and confidence?
Do you always speak well of people? Do people know that you will not slander them behind their backs, because when you talk to these people you never defame others? Do you always say good things about people?
Do you cry with those who cry and rejoice with those who rejoice? Romans 12:15 gives us this important evaluation of love. Both are crucial, but the second, rejoicing with someone, is much rarer. When someone has a broken heart, just come closer and take care of it. When someone is very successful, then dance and sing.
When it comes to love, in the way that Christ loved, how are you doing?
You may have wonderful success in some areas, but it won't matter if you fail in regards to love. Trying to do it is what matters most.
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I Corinthians 13:1-13
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The Lord is not slow in keeping his word, as he seems to some, but he is waiting in mercy for you, not desiring the destruction of any, but that all may be turned from their evil ways.
2 Pedro 3:9
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Thank you for reading, commenting and sharing the word of God.
God bless you.
