How to Love Every Day Without Giving Up or Giving In

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You would think love would be an easy subject, wouldn’t you?

We toss around the word all the time. I love this or that post. I love good coffee. I love Ted Drewes Custard (it’s a St. Louis thing). I love babies and puppies and quiet afternoons. And that’s just the top of the list of things I say I love.

So this month of digging deep into my faith and what it really means to love every day God’s way . . . to love like Jesus, yes that, has been hard.

It wasn’t hard writing about God’s perfect love for you and me. Writing about loving God completely is something I enjoy, even though I fail daily. Writing about loving my family was fun. But from there it became more and more challenging.

Loving everyone at church . . . even the difficult ones.
Loving people when I’m challenged with confrontation.
Loving my neighbors . . . all of them.
Loving strangers . . . even when it’s uncomfortable.
And loving those who are considered unlovely.

Well, let me tell you each of these posts made me squirm in my chair then hang my head in repentance. Because loving like Jesus is easier to talk about than it is to do.

I’m thankful that by God’s grace, He didn’t leave me there. You know He never does. Always offering forgiveness and another opportunity to do better. And in this digging deep process…

I’ve been reminded of something very important.

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God.

God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:7, 9–10

It’s not up to me. Love comes from God. Real love is a gift.

He is love. The source of love. The Giver . . . you and I are simply recipients. And as recipients we are called to be conduits of that love to others.

Real love is:

•  a choice not a feeling.
•  an action not just a reaction.

Love builds up.
Love cares about and cares for.
Love speaks the truth with kindness.
Love is unconditional.
Love is selfless.
Love is patient and kind.
Love is humble.
Love is forgiving.
Love is faithful and doesn’t quit.
Love is hopeful and lasting.

Love is not a warm fuzzy feeling, but participation in God’s activity on earth. 

And with His help, I won’t give up or give in. I will keep digging deep and challenging myself to love like Jesus.

There is only one way to do that.

 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Remain in Jesus. Sit at His feet. Be still in His presence. Breathe in His love.

Finally . . . Quotes to Inspire us to Love Like Jesus

“Only this divine love that God gives will make us love others, and before we have revival in America we must have that kind of love among God’s people.” ~Billy Graham

“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.” ~Hudson Taylor

“He said ‘Love as I have loved you.’ We cannot love too much.” ~Amy Carmichael

“The more completely you own the notion that your ways are not God’s ways, the more hope there is that you will be able to abandon your free, selfish will in favor of His loving, perfect will.” ~George Barna

“Joy is love exalted; peace is love in repose; long-suffering is love enduring; gentleness is love in society; goodness is love in action; faith is love on the battlefield; meekness is love in school; and temperance is love in training.” ~D. L. Moody

I will not give up, nor will I give in to the selfishness that keeps me from loving like Jesus. 

I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

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