Everything we know, every concept we have, is tainted by sin and evil. no, not tainted, fully polluted. this includes our idea of love. our love is not like God's love. God's love is perfect. God's love is unconditional. We throw that word around a lot, "unconditional", but think about what it means. This is who we are without Christ:
"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our day in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another." Titus 3:3
"BUT God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
it doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, where you've been...God LOVES his people.
our love is not perfect. and our love is very conditional. sure, your spouse, children, closest friends and family- we may love them no matter what they do. but we do not always TREAT them in love. we all know what 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that love is. "love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong-doing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." based off of that, how often would we have to say, "I have not loved."?
this song is called "Love" by Above the Golden State. (they're a new band, the CDs not out yet. but as soon as it is, you should get it!)
Father, i pray for a love like Yours! i pray i would love others as You have shown me undeserving, unconditional love. I pray for a heart like Yours, that i would seek to reflect Your image.
"I have loved you with an everlasting love." Jer. 31:3
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." John 13:34
