I am so excited for this post! The world has distorted so many standards for our love concerning others around us, and I'm hoping I can make some sense in this matter.
"Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"
Psalm 133:1
How could I have said it better than David himself. He has such a way of putting what we feel, and the beauty this world points to into words. When God's children come together, from any walk of life, we are united under one thing: God. (Gal. 3:28)
The best people I know are members of the Church. In our small congregation of about fifty members are some girls that remind me what's best for me, all according to God's word. They watched me become baptized, and I watched them. I have a blogger friend hundreds of miles away, and we've only met in person once, yet the connection through God makes me know she's my sister. These connections are of no coincidental nature, they are God's nature! We have this bond, with God in the center, and what is more perfect and beautiful than something with God in the middle?
You can definitely tell between a Christian relationship and a worldly relationship. (2 Cor. 6:14) There is absolutely nothing wrong with having friends who are not saved, but there is something wrong when you begin to think of their opinions and their ways more correct than those of the Church.
The best example of love for others is, of course, set by Jesus. So, how did Jesus love? He love, and loves, unconditionally (Rom. 5:8), sacrificially (2 Cor. 5:21), with forgiveness (Eph. 4:32), and eternally (Rom. 8:38-39). We are to love as Christ loves; love our heavenly family, love our blood family, love our friends, love our enemies (Matt. 5:43-48), and love ourselves (but that subject is for tomorrow's post), with all of these qualities. We are given "guidelines" with how we ought to portray our love to others. ( 1 Cor. 13: 4-8)
What do we do when we fall out of love with one another? Well, this is a tough question, with a simple answer. Work and work to gain back that love. If you are finding it hard to love someone in Christ, for any reason at all, please, go talk to them. Don't leave the talk without it being resolved. Maybe it will take five minutes, maybe and hour, but humble yourself and go to them, don't wait for them to come to you. It might not become resolved, the other might not want a connection between you and them. The best you can do is pray for that person, and ask God for wisdom.
So, considering all of this, I want to quickly finish off by writing about our love for our future spouses (for my fellow teens). The bond between man and woman has been here since the beginning of creation, and is one of the most beautiful and intimate blessings God has given us. We have a natural desire to be with the opposite sex, yet it is up to us to have control over that desire. We have to wait for the right person, at the right time (and God's time is always the right time). If you see someone you could consider marrying (not just someone you could consider "dating"), then become their friend and get to know them and their intentions better before entering into courtship. And, of course, the biggest rule; they are a Christian and love God more than you, and they keep Him in the center of your family. This is an extremely important key to a healthy, eternal relationship with your spouse. So that's my (and God's) two cents on that matter.
I advise you to read the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). I believe it is one of the most beautiful portrayals of true philia (brotherly love). Thank you for reading, I hope you got something out of this, and that a fire to love others more than ever is stirring in your heart right now. Have a blessed day.
"Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen." -Philippians 4:20
In Him,
Halle