UNCONDITIONAL LOVE (Part II)

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE (Part II)

Yesterday’s tale of the innocent baby who demonstrated unconditional acceptance of a homeless man challenges both the quantity and quality of our love.  Jesus Christ expressed it best, “Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3) It is far easier to say ‘I love you’ than to actually 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 either 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, strangers, or even enemies are too extreme (sour or bitter) in one direction or 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 anything others say or do that ‘gets on my nerves.’

2.       A tendency to speak more negatively, than positively.

3.       A tendency to think or say “I told you she would eventually do that!  I told you so!”

4.       A tendency to believe others are always being deceptive or lying.

Biblical Solutions: 

I Corinthians 13:5 declares that 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 seem 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 in ‘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, [and] love seeks not her own.”

Spiritual Litmus Test #3

Do I have the ability to forgive or a 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 eventually alter the way I communicate or interact with others.

2.       A tendency to have a negative attitude that typically 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 13:4 says love “suffers long, and is kind.”  Verse 5 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 those sour or bitter personality traits that will not be able to 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 own attitudes or actions, here are some divine prescriptions from The Master, JESUS CHRIST, who is Love Personified:  [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 you, not until seven times, but until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21) In other words, Christ’s mandate for forgiveness is virtually unlimited, just as His love, grace and mercy toward us are boundless.

Let us strive steadfastly to walk in unconditional love…because GOD IS LOVE, and HIS HOLY SPIRIT must be fully operative and dynamically radiating from deep within our human spirits…always. (I John 4:7-8)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!