Valentine's Day; a day we set aside each year to show our loved ones how much we love them. But is that where it should end? Many complain that Valentine's Day has become so commercialized that it has lost its meaning...its specialness. This year I'm going to challenge myself and I hope that many of you will too.
The challenge:
Don't just show love to your loved ones or those who are 'easy' to love. Love everyone especially those you find most difficult to love. That could be someone in your family who has wronged you; a friend who has hurt you deeply; a stranger on the street; a cashier at the supermarket who has a bad attitude; a criminal; a political leader who you disagree with on every political point; the list goes on and on and on....
The reason for this challenge...God's word! His Command!
Luke 10:25-28 NLT
25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”
John 13:34-35 NLT
34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 15:12 NLT
12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
And how did Jesus show his love for us? On the cross. He gave his life so that we may live forever with Him! That is the kind of love He wants us to show others. Quite the challenge, right?
So, how do we do it? How do we show others that we truly love them? How do we love the unlovable the way that Christ loved everyone? Look to God's Word for guidance:
Romans 15:7 NLT
7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.
First: Accept each other. God created each one of us and He does not make mistakes. He has planned out our entire lives even before we were born. Christ accepts us, faults and all. We need to show others that same acceptance.
Galatians 6:2 NLT
2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Second: Help each other. If you see someone struggling, offer help. It can be a physical struggle or an emotional struggle. The help can be physical help if you are able or it can be as simple as diligently praying for that person in their struggles. One thing I have learned over the last several months is that prayer is EXTREMELY powerful!
Ephesians 5:21 NLT
21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Third: There's that word in the Bible that causes many of us to cringe - Submit. What exactly does it mean to submit?
Submit - to give or yield to the power or authority of another; to allow ones self be subjected to some kind of treatment; to defer to another's judgement, opinion, decision
(Definition taken from Dictionary.com)
And we are to submit to others out of reverence for Christ (which if you don't know or forgot, reverence is defined as a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe. Also from Dictionary.com).
OK, this one is probably one of the toughest ones to put into action. We all have our own opinions and our own way that we like to do things. We need to put that aside and submit to the way that someone else would like to do things or submit to their way of thinking...ouch! Pride can really get in the way of this one. My opinion on how best to accomplish this is to be flexible and open-minded (and forgiving). Do this out of awesome respect for Christ! One more word that might help with this aspect:
Humility
1 Thessalonians 5:13 NLT
13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
Finally: This point follows the previous very well. Show others respect and wholehearted love. This will also, at times, take great humility on our part. This verse reminds me of the Golden Rule. And the word wholehearted in this verse shows that it shouldn't be a shallow love; a 'just on the surface' love. Love with your whole heart and soul! A very difficult challenge indeed!
So that is the challenge I am giving myself beginning this Valentine's Day. I hope that many of you will join me in loving others. Just think of how many lives would be touched if we all showed everyone wholehearted, lay my life down for you, accept you no matter what, help you in your time of need, submit to you even though I may disagree love.
