The Extra Measure

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Ephesians 5:2 NLT

Can we even begin to fathom the reality of a love so deep, so strong, that it remains and sacrificially includes those who hate you? One where they beat you, spit on you, snatch handfuls of your beard from your face, and you still love them? You have greater compassion and ask God to forgive them? You're not even mad at them? And ultimately, lay down your very life to save them?

Matthew 5: 43-37 reads, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that 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. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?"

The question is, Do those around us recognize our Christianity by the love evidenced in our lives?

Prayer:

Father,

          O that we would love like Christ! Help us, Lord, to walk in love and mercy and grace and forgiveness to overflowing. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen