Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Day 19: Love is impossible

Daily Reading

We are getting to the part where this book would be difficult for someone who is lacking faith or who doesn't believe in God... the part that would be hard for someone who is struggling in that area. Or who isn't struggling but just doesn't follow a Christian set of beliefs.

Let us love one another, for love is from God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who doesn't love, doesn't know God for God is love. 1 John 4:7-8

"You cannot manufacture unconditional love (or agape love) out of your own heart."

You can demonstrate kindness, you can choose to be more thoughtful. "But sincerely loving someone unselfishly and unconditionally is another matter altogether."

"Like it or not, agape love isn't something you can do. It's something only God can do. But because of his great love for you- and His love for your spouse- He chooses to express his love through you."

The text goes on to give examples of the way that human attempts, even the most serious, at agape love, at unconditional love, fail. But that God's love for us never fails.

And if you don't have that love as a resource, if you refuse it or don't have faith in it, you don't have it to give.

Bottom line is that if your marriage is lacking, your relationship with God may be lacking as well. And that by turning to God and by opening your heart to His love, you are opening yourself to being able to love and be loved in your marriage.

Today's Dare

"Look back over the Dares from the previous days. Were there some that seemed impossible for you? Have you realized your need for God to change your heart and to give you the ability to love? Ask Him to show you where you stand with Him, and ask for the strength and grace to settle your eternal destination."

Reflections

"What do you believe God is saying to you? Is there a stirring in your heart? What decision have you made in response to this?"

2 comments:

Rachel Tamed said...

I do agree that some belief in a higher power is necessary in order to really understand the purposes of our relationships with others.

Mim said...

Hmm. This is interesting because it's making me articulate to myself how my understanding of these ideas has changed over time. The realisation that, despite my usual cynicism about people, I do in fact believe that human beings, in and of themselves, are capable of profound, selfless and unconditional love, is rather uplifting.