Christmas will be here in a couple of weeks. I can’t think of Christmas without thinking of love. For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten SON. Christmas is when Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. It all started with LOVE, and it all ended with LOVE. Jesus LOVED us so much that He paid the ultimate price and died on the cross. In the NIV version, the word love is mentioned 551, so it is safe to assume that it was an important theme of the Bible…..
I was skimming over some Bible verses that mentioned love, and this one stood out to me.
Colossians 3:12-17
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
I love the Bible and how it gives us instructions for our everyday life. In these few verses, the Bible tells us that as His children, here is the way we are supposed to act. We are supposed to be kind, merciful, and be humble, and meek. We are supposed to be forgiving to others as the Lord forgave us. And then to tie it all together with a nice bow, we are supposed to do everything in LOVE.
When I look back over this past year, I don’t see LOVE. I see hatred and judgment instead of love and forgiveness. Instead of welcoming others with open arms, we shut the door and throw away the key. If someone doesn’t have the same opinion, then we unfollow or unfriend them. If someone’s lifestyle isn’t what we think it should be, we judge them and condemn them.
When I read about Jesus’s life, He never turned His back on someone who had sinned. He did not judge them, and instead, He offered them LOVE and living water. Jesus was associated with sinners, He reached out to those that others turned their backs on. A murderer, a tax collector, and a woman of ill repute were all examples of how Jesus made a difference in the lives of someone who was shunned by others.
Here are a few verses that we might want to consider when we find ourselves judging someone else’s actions.
Proverbs 10:12
12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.
Matthew 5:43-48
43 “You have heard that it was said,‘You shall love your neighborand hate your enemy.’44 But I say to you,love your enemies, bless those who curse you,do good to those who hate you, and prayfor those who spitefully use you and persecute you,45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; forHe makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?47 And if you greet yourbrethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even thetax collectors do so?48 Therefore you shall be perfect, justas your Father in heaven is perfect.
Ephesians 4:32
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Jesus calls on us to love one another, not to judge one another. Jesus lived His life loving on people who had made bad choices, and the very people we would shun. So, this Christmas season – give the gift of LOVE to all, not just those who we deem deserving.
To God Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Tania
Your Sunday sermons are so wonderful & uplifting. Thank you & God bless you & your family during this Christmas season
I am thankful that so many ladies enjoy the Sunday blog posts.
Tania,
Your message spoke to me on so many different levels. Love is the answer and the way, for there is so much power in Love. Thank you for opening my heart this morning. Merry Christmas!
You are right, Sara, love is very powerful.
Very appropriate for today and everyday. I look forward to your blog but especially the Sunday edition.
Thanks, Cheryl! My Sunday posts are very special to me also.
What a powerful message that we all need to hear and act on! Thanks for sharing from your heart, Tania—you are truly a blessing!
I am glad that you liked today’s post.
Very Good Message. Thank you for reminding us all of this! ❤️
Thanks, Misty. I am glad that you enjoyed it.
Jesus had such a short life, and yet he got right to the point. Love makes us get rid of the judgment we have inside of us. He did let the Pharisees have it also! Nevertheless he gave His life for them too.
Thank you for baring your ❤️.
He accomplished so much in His life that it is hard to believe that He died so young.
Wonderful reminder to be full of love for others because He loves all.
Love is free, so giving it away doesn’t cost you anything.
Praise Jesus, His word is our light thru this darkness! Thank you beautiful lady!
He is the LIGHT, the WAY, and the TRUTH!
This may be my favorite post ever! Much needed reminders for all of us during this season!
Awww, thanks so much, Lori! I am thrilled that you enjoyed the post.
My online church talked about love today too. I enjoy your Sunday posts so much. Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and tour family.
My morning devotional was also on love today. It must be is short supply and the Lord is trying to tell us something.
Thank you, Tania! This post is perfect and timely! God Bless You!
I am glad that you liked the post, Barbara.
Amen