God's Love Fulfilled

One of the most challenging classes I teach is on love. It is not the information that makes the study difficult. What is tough is watching my students' faces fall as they learn what godly love is, as detailed in 1 Corinthians 13. Although I teach the five love languages, love goes much deeper than meeting your family and friends' needs. God's love is supposed to mentor and disciple. As Christ-followers, we are called to invest in other people's lives, which I guarantee will be inconvenient and tasking. In verse four, love is kind, which means beneficial. For example, the dry Arizona weather is kind to my asthma. Arizona is not doing anything for me, but instead, Arizona's being is beneficial to me. As Christians, are very being should benefit all those that move around us. When Romans teaches let love be without hypocrisy, it is saying there should not be an on and off switch to our behavior. Kind to this person because we approve of them and vicious to others with no regard.

This week we celebrate the love of God born in a manager. I am so appreciative that God's love is not based on us. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us," Romans 5:8. If a religious person has hurt you, then may I say tongue-in-cheek, get in line. Do not judge God's love, according to people. Look at God and His actions.
Christmas is not about family, food, or days off from work. Christmas is about God fulfilling his promise of a Messiah or Savior. I know our church is closed due to the actual illness of staff. That does not mean I won't celebrate. It just means my celebration must be purposed in my home by different means. Instead of looking at what is missing, focus on God's original purpose, and acknowledge the beauty of the gift. I am sure Mary did not find her circumstances or a manger convenient either. Read Mary's praise in Luke 1:46-55; there is no self-pity in her message. What you will see is her understanding of the bigger picture, and she rejoiced.

Photo by Dan Kiefer on Unsplash

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L. Kathleen Cline

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