Love

What does it mean to love someone? This has been a question that has bugged me over the course of these couple of months. And coincidentally or perhaps intentionally by God's grace, I have been forced to ponder over it during the Luke bible studies and more recently, the sermons on 1 John.

If you are expecting a blog post about romantic love, I am sorry to disappoint you.. Haha..

It really is so hard to love people at times. And thinking about it, sometimes we are just all wired so differently that inevitably, we step on the toes of each other sometimes unknowingly. We have our own opinions and values and we judge others based on those. At the same time, other people judge us based on their values. But in a way, it really explains how sinful we are and what a fallen world we live in.. That is probably why it is so hard to love people at times.

It probably isn't hard to love the people you want to love. Or people who do good to you or treat you well. In the earlier stages of a relationship, it probably won't be very hard for a couple to love one another no matter how irksome the other party may be.. Such is the selfish nature of man that we love only on the pretext that it will be reciprocated or that we love only those who love us.. And sometimes we don't even love those who love us..

As a Christian, I am always challenged by God's high standards of love for us.. In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus said, "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Then he said something that was most funny, "If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also." I read this when I was a non-Christian and I found it most amusing and unbelievable. How in the world do you continue to love this person who strikes you on your cheek? And continue to bless him and pray for him.. It was something that struck me about the Christian faith and it probably was one of the factors that led to my conversion.

God calls all Christians to a radical, out-of-the-world kind of love that will shock everybody. I think that is what Jesus was saying when he asks us to turn the other cheek. However, it doesn't mean that Christians are meant to be pushed around and bullied. We are not doormats to be stepped upon (in the words of YG). In a way, being bullied and giving in to everything and anything probably doesn't necessarily mean that one is being loving. Sometimes one can just not be bothered to retaliate and continue to harbour hateful thoughts. This is not Christian love at all. The radical love that God calls us to involves a peace of heart and gentleness that will be evident to all. Even in the face of persecution and hatred, we are called to be understanding, to forgive and to love our enemies.

Putting this into practice isn't easy.. After all we are sinful people, even Christians.. I am really challenged to put it into practice.. Yet sometimes, I continue to be frustrated and I fail to carry out God's commands.. And yet at times, it is not clear cut whether a particular act is loving or stumbling to other people; being gentle or being a pushover.. And I continue to examine my motives for certain acts.. My interests or other people's interests? God's interests? And I continue to learn and be disciplined by God's word.

And indeed, despite the incredibility to love everyone and everytime and the impossibility of the task entrusted to each and everyone of God's children, I know that I am not without help or hope. God's word will continue to guide me in my words and actions as long as I continue to obey him and love him. And as Christians, we need no further motivation to love other people.. Because God has already shown to us what it really means to love by sending his son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for us. Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Christ died not for people who love him. He died for his enemies - us, who hated him and rejected him. This is true love (however cliched this might sound).

As Christians, we are a forgiven people. We ought to love much because we have been forgiven much. May God continue to guide us and help us love the people around us, no matter how hard it is and how unwilling we are! =)