UNCONDITIONAL
LOVE (Part II)
Yesterday’s
tale of the innocent baby who demonstrated unconditional acceptance of the
homeless man challenges both the quantity and quality of our love. Jesus Christ expressed it best, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not
enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)
It is far easier to say ‘I
love you’ than to truly exemplify the highest of Christian virtues. Many people proclaim (with apparent ease), “I
love everybody!” But saying and doing
are decidedly different; there must be evidence.
During my elementary school years,
science class explored what is commonly called the ‘Litmus Test.’ This simple
test determines whether a substance is acid
or alkaline. If the pH (potential of hydrogen in the
substance) is acid, the litmus paper turns red in color when exposed to the
substance. If the pH is alkaline, the
litmus paper turns blue. Acids taste
sour. For example, lemon juice is an
acidic substance. Alkaline substances
taste bitter. For example, ammonia is
alkaline.
Today, we will take a ‘Spiritual Litmus Test’ to determine if
our relationships with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, or strangers are
too extreme (sour or bitter) in one direction are another.
Spiritual Litmus Test
#1
Do I look for (and
expect) the worst in others?
Signs of this type of behavior include…
1.
A tendency to keep mental records of
things others say or do that ‘get on my nerves.’
2.
A tendency to speak more negatively,
than positively.
3.
A tendency to think or say “I told
you she would do that! I told you so!”
4.
A tendency to believe others are always
being deceptive or lying.
Biblical Solutions:
I Corinthians 13:5b says love “…thinks no evil.” Verse 6 says love
“rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.”
Spiritual Litmus Test
#2
Do I have a low
tolerance for other people who exhibit attitudes or behaviors that are
different from mine?
Signs of this type of behavior include…
1.
A tendency to prejudge people by appearance,
color, culture, or socio-economic standing, i.e. to become prejudiced against
others because they are different or unfamiliar.
2.
A tendency to be strongly
opinionated or have a know-it-all attitude about most things.
3.
A tendency to feel that only ‘me and
mine’ know how to get things done ‘the right way.’
Biblical Solutions:
I Corinthians 13:4b says love “…vaunts not itself, is not puffed
up.” Verse 5 says love “does not behave itself unseemly,
seeks not her own…”
Spiritual Litmus Test
#3
Do I have the ability
to forgive or the tendency to hold on to troublesome issues for extended
periods?
Signs of this type of behavior include…
1.
A tendency to hold grudges, i.e. to
keep issues alive and active until they change the way I communicate or
interact with others.
2.
A tendency to have a negative attitude
that eventually results in critical comments and harsh treatment of others.
3.
A tendency to display childish
behaviors, i.e. verbal outbursts or temper tantrums.
Biblical Solutions:
I Corinthians 13:4a says love “suffers long, and is kind.” Verse 5b says love
“…is not easily provoked, thinks no evil.”
Verse 7 says love “bears
all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
The negative behavioral signs (outlined
above) identify sour and bitter personality traits that will not
pass the Spiritual Litmus Test. FYI, there will be no sour or bitter people in Heaven! Should you find that these characteristics
actually mirror your attitudes or actions, here are some divine prescriptions from
The Master, Love Personified, JESUS CHRIST: 1] The Golden Rule (Luke 6:31); 2] “Judge not…condemn
not…” (Luke 6:37); 3] “…love one another…” (John 13:34-35); 4] “…forgive men
their trespasses [and] your heavenly father will also forgive you.” (Matthew
6:14); 5] “…forgive…I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seventy
times seven.” (Matthew 18:21) In other
words, forgiveness is virtually unlimited!
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