Love Revelation

I've been reading a book by Bob Sorge entitled "Dealing with the Rejection and Praise of Man." Yes, the book is as intimidating as the title. Haha...but seriously, the book is chock full of the most amazing revelations for someone like me who gets hung up on the praises and rejections of the people around me. Basically, it's been amazing. My world is being rocked by some of the things Mr. Sorge says. And it all boils down to this: If you have God's approval, you are set free from the need to seek approval from anyone else. Period. It's honestly that simple - and yet so hard to put theory into practice...

In disciple group last Monday night, we read Psalm 119:32 which says:

"I run in the path of your commands,
for You have set my heart free."

I always loved this verse because I have this thing with freedom. It's one of my favorite words in "Christianese" if you will. The word encompasses what Christ does for us. I also love that freedom in Christ turns the world's idea of freedom upside down! It's because I'm a bond servant to Christ that I have been set free from my sin! It excites me...a lot. :) Because of this predisposition to look at everything from the perspective of freedom from sin, I never considered that it might mean that my heart has been set free to love.

I know that sounds kind of silly and obvious - my heart is free to love - but hear me out. By this world's standards, I love you because you love me. It's a reciprocation deal. We exchange love. I love you so that you will love me, and that's the natural course of the human existence. It is absurd to love someone who is neutral towards you; it is especially absurd to love someone who hates you. This is the natural order.

Christ takes this and throws it away! He loves everyone. No muss, no fuss - EVERYONE. No matter how they feel toward him. In fact, how humanity feels toward Christ is irrelevant to his love for humanity. How strangely wonderful is that? He loves me despite the fact that my love may not be reciprocated, and certainly despite the fact that my love will never equal his love for me. I can't match up to his love. I can only attempt to give him all the love I possess. And part of that process is loving others.

To love with the love of Christ is to think of love from this perspective. Do I truly love everyone? Do I love them despite their feelings toward me? See, this is where that liberty from Christ comes in! He sets us free to love with our whole hearts - not just that part that wants to feel love back. How amazing is that? And part of loving God is showing love to others, because it's what He commands us to do! It's a beautiful, incredibly difficult process. I don't think we will ever truly have a grasp on this Christ-like love, but we have a lifetime to work on it. :) I'm not there yet, by any means, but with patience and grace, Christ is slowly revealing more of his love in exchange for this world's view.

I'll keep writing as I get more revelation (I believe it's coming!). But for now, I'll work on putting this one into practice.