Religion of Love: Divine Guidance in Challenging Relationships!

In the depths of our hearts, we must wholeheartedly embrace the religion of love. A love that knows no boundaries, one that extends to every corner of the Earth.

This love knows no discrimination, for it encompasses the rich and the poor, the learned and the unlearned, the well and the afflicted.

As it is written in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV): "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

This religion of love is not superficial; it satisfies the deepest chambers of the heart. It is profound enough to nourish the soul, and its embrace is wide enough to encompass the entire world.

1 John 4:7-8 (NIV): "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love."

The religion of love, as professed by Jesus Christ, cannot be legislated or forced upon anyone. It is not a mere human endeavor; rather, it is a divine gift bestowed upon us by the grace of God. This love is not of natural origin; it is a profound love that emanates from the very heart of God.

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

1 John 4:8 (NIV):

This love is not something we can manufacture on our own; it is a love that God imparts to us. It dwells within us as His divine presence, a testament to His boundless compassion and grace.

The religion of Jesus Christ is, at its core, the religion of love. It is not a set of rules or rituals but a transformative love that transcends all boundaries and differences. It is a love that compels us to love one another, just as He loved us.

As Jesus Himself taught in John 13:34-35 (NIV): "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another."

This divine love, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, is a powerful force that has the potential to change hearts and bring unity to a fractured world. It is a love that we are called to share with others, a love that reveals the true essence of our faith and our relationship with God.

I once crossed paths with a woman who held a deep animosity towards me. Her disdain for my presence was obvious, and it didn't take long to uncover the source of her resentment. The revelation of my higher salary, especially since she was responsible for my training, had sparked this enmity.

She directed her bitterness at me, often resorting to rudeness that brought tears to my eyes. Despite her unkindness, I chose not to retaliate with harsh words or defend myself. Instead, I retreated to the bathroom when tears welled up. I even went so far as to purchase a birthday gift for her, seeking to extend an olive branch.

However, her attitude remained hostile, making my work life miserable. I began actively seeking new employment opportunities to escape this toxic environment. Then, one day, in the midst of this difficult situation, God spoke out loud to me:

"I will not release you from here until every person here knows the love of God." I stood there, frozen.

I wish I could say that I was filled with joy when I heard His words, but the truth is far from it. In that moment, all I could think was, "Great, I'm going to be stuck here forever because 'Karen' hates me." The weight of that realization pressed down on me, and I sank further into a sense of despair.

As excited as I was that God had spoken to me, I also knew deep down that His words were undeniably true, but no matter what I did, no matter how hard I tried to mend the relationship, this woman continued to regard me with contempt.

I returned home that day, bursting with excitement that God had literally spoken to me. I couldn't wait to share this divine encounter with a friend of mine. However, I must admit that I didn't fully embrace the message He had delivered to me. Like many of us do with scripture, I put my own twist on His words.

Sometimes, our initial interpretations can be clouded by our own perspectives, and it takes the wisdom of others and the Word to help us see the truth more clearly.

God's message was clear: "I will not release you from here until every person knows the love of God."

However, my initial understanding was different:

I heard "Until Karen loves you, you will remain here."

I found myself trapped in a situation where I couldn't control someone else's feelings. No matter how hard I tried, Karen's animosity towards me remained unchanged. During a discussion with my friend, she asked me to describe how I had been responding to Karen. I listed my actions: turning the other cheek, being kind, trying to do better, keeping quiet, not defending myself, prayers for her and her family, and even crying in private in the bathroom quoting scriptures and prayers to help me deal with her.

My friend then posed a critical question: "So, in all your responses to her, have you acted out of love every time?" To which I replied, "Yes."

I had a misconception. I believed that in order to fulfill God's requirement, Karen needed to respond to my love with love in return. However, I was mistaken in my interpretation. God's message was not about receiving love in return; it was about demonstrating His love to everyone, including Karen. I had focused on the wrong aspect of His directive.

I had an epiphany. I understood that when God instructed me to Be loving, it didn't imply that love had to be reciprocated. My responsibility was in my actions, not in how those actions were received or returned. What I did was my duty, while the reactions and responses of others were between them and God. For the first time since God spoke to me, I had clarity on how to gauge my mission, my role, and I knew that I wouldn't be at that place forever. I only needed to demonstrate God's love to everyone.

Choose love with your children.

Choose love with your spouse.

Choose love with your boss.

Choose love with your neighbor.

Choose love with your co-workers.

Choose love with your enemies.

Always choose love.

You are planting seeds of the Gardner, God. The Bible begins in a garden and ends in a garden with God. You may not see those seeds grow, and you may never witness the ripple effect of your love poured out. But I promise you, your love has already made a profound difference in the world.

As it is written in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (NIV): 'I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.'"

Amanda Allen

www.KingdomRevelations.com

"Loving the unloved isn't about receiving love in return; it's about giving love unconditionally, knowing that love has the power to transform hearts."~~aa