Okay, so a couple of weeks ago we talked about loving “anyway,” versus loving them “because.” God loves us because of who He is, not because of who we are, so we should strive to love people because our nature is a loving nature, not because of anything they do or don’t do for us.
That’s a great theory, right? But what about that brother or sister in Christ who just gets under our skin? I’m not talking about annoying little habits. I’m talking about someone who is just doing us wrong. Someone who is so busy making noise and causing problems. We’ve all had those friends, right? We’ve all known someone who thinks they know best and have all of the answers, and in the process causes a lot of pain and hurt and uncertainty. How do you love them “anyway”? How long do we have to “put up” with them?
Jesus Christ put up with brothers who called Him crazy. This was His earthly family, and they thought He was nuts! The people He fellowshipped with called Him a liar! They ran Him out of His church and His town! One of His closest friends denied even knowing who He was! And every sin from past to present and throughout the end of time here on earth soaked His sinless soul as the one truth in His life, His very Father, turned away from Him!
“Anyway” love is hard! How long do we have to have it? Until life here is done. Even for those who hurt us most? Yes! Where would we be if Christ didn’t have that love for us?