People make mistakes. Sometimes people make the same mistakes more than once. But what is the difference between a believer's mistakes and a nonbeliever's mistakes? They don't see things the way we see them. They use standards set by society to determine right and wrong. Their eyes are closed to the things we have been blessed to see. But what is our excuse? When we sin, we can't claim ignorance. We can't profess that we didn't know. When we get caught up in a stronghold of sin, we walk the plank with our eyes wide open.
I've been struggling to understand the meaning of unconditional love, or agape love, from the giving and the receiving side. Agape love is defined as selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, the highest of the four types of love in the Bible. Selfless. Sacrificial. Unconditional. Wow. As humans, as sinners, is that really possible? Through my experiences with family, friends, and relationships I have developed a strong skepticism toward this so called "unconditional love". Unconditional love starts with understanding God's love and then loving yourself, not in an arrogant or
self-absorbed way, but in a forgiving and understanding way. My skepticism is rooted in an ongoing battle I continue to fight with insecurity...an inability to view myself as worthy of unconditional love or capable of unconditionally loving someone else. I have always felt, and still feel, that if I "do something wrong" or disappoint someone, that is the end. Their feelings, ideas, perceptions, and beliefs about me have changed and will not ever be the same again. I live in fear of disappointing people...of disappointing God. This fear permeates my relationships and daily interactions with people. This fear is sin. This fear is me questioning the Truth that God promises in the Bible. I've been walking this plank for far too long. I'm turning away from the violent sea that has hovered beneath me for many years and seeking an understanding of love that is patient, love that is kind. Love that does not envy or boast, and that is not proud. Love that does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, and is not easily angered. Love that keeps no records of wrongs...no matter the size or severity of those wrongs. Love that does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth...even if the truth hurts. Love that always protects, ALWAYS trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.
"Many
people have traveled this world with different dreams, purposes and
aspirations. Many are masters, teachers, inventors and followers. They
were all sent by the creator of the universe to achieve one just course;
“global peace and unification.” But this course cannot be achieved
without unconditional love, which possesses the magical powers of the
Divine for transformation. When the human race embraces love
unconditional, then the lost will be found, the naked will be clothed,
the hungry will be fed, the bombs will be destroyed and there will be
peace and unity which will make us all to speak one language, “LOVE”.
Let
love abide ." -Philip D. Brown
