Uncomfortable Love

If you and I were to be honest with each other we would admit that Jesus' type of love leaves us in some very uncomfortable situations. The only way you can love like he demands is if, first, we have experienced his love and, second, we are willing to die to love others with this same love. People can talk about love all they want but this is the real thing:

"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies."

Ok.

"Do good to those who hate you."

Ok

"Bless those who curse you."

Ok

"Pray for those who spitefully use you."

Use me! You are kidding right?

There is no room for words of criticism here. No hatred. No talk of revenge. No knee-jerk reaction. Just a knowing. A knowing that there is a right way. A knowing because we have experienced it. You see, Jesus is describing exactly what he has done for us. But wait, there is more:

"To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also."

We are past name calling. We are getting physical now. Really?

"From him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either."

Do you think our Lord knows us or what? He takes it from the semi-easier stuff to where it really hurts - the wallet.

"Give to everyone who asks of you."

Oh-boy.

"From him who takes away your goods do not ask them back."

This is love Jesus-style, the only definition of love that matters for eternity. It's called sacrifice and it is uncomfortable. It comes from a heart of compassion, a heart possessed by the Spirit of God.

"And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise."

I think I have gone too far. You have probably shut down; you have met your absorption limit. That's the problem, we try to understand our God in one mouthful but it takes a lifetime of digesting the Word to grow into maturity where we are empowered to not just understand but actually live it. There is more, much more. Check out Luke 6.

For now though, read back through this again and ask yourself if you are feeling uncomfortable yet. If you are, that is fantastic because we should feel uncomfortable loving like Jesus in a world that rejects his love. If you can read it and not feel uncomfortable, keep reading it until you do.