If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Ouch! If you read past the title and are still with me, I am proud of you! That is a tough question.
Am I willing to love people the way Jesus loves me?
If I was honest, my answer would be, “Yes, but….”
I would probably list some conditions.
I will love them with an everlasting love as long as –
They don’t hurt me or my family.
They don’t ruin my reputation.
They are loveable.
They act like me.
It is so easy to love someone who behaves like I do. It is easy to love someone who loves me. The hard part comes when we need to love someone who is like a porcupine. With every attempt at showing that person love, we feel the sting of a quill piercing our skin.
Love everyone including those like the porcupine. 😍
Favour is really ours