Grace

If LOVE was our currency, would you be rich or poor? Would you be in the poor house? Or would you be a philanthropist, giving love away to all those who have none?

We first experience love, hopefully, when we are born. A nurturing mom comes to mind. A mother breastfeeding her newborn, stroking its cheek, and smiling. So innocent and fresh.

Sadly, there are those who have very little love in their hearts. Something happened to them that sucked the love right out of them. They withdraw from everyone and their hearts become hardened.

What should we do when we encounter the loveless? That's simple.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." - Matthew 5:43-45

We are to love everyone. So, what does our love look like? As Jesus said, "pray for those who persecute you." So, our love begins with prayer. But what do we do after we pray? What do we do when we meet our "enemies" on the street?

Here's another word that goes hand-in-hand with love. GRACE.

If someone we know does not have love or grace in their hearts, then neither do they have the Holy Spirit living in them.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control." - Galatians 5:22-23

"One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend." - Proverbs 22:11

And our King is Jesus.

"It is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved." - Acts 15:11

We are just as much in need of God's grace as our "enemies" are. Prayer, love, and grace are what's needed. And then patience.

"Love one another as I have loved you." - John 13:34