Love Does Not Demand

Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 NLT

Good Morning Girlfriends:

A ministry leader contacted me about a situation that had been going on with a member of the congregation that had been going on for awhile. A decision was made to talk to this individual in a personal way in a personal setting to reach out in love. A phone call could have been made or a letter sent out demanding that the behavior had to change, but that would not have been the way that Jesus had taught to handle that situation. As we sat face to face, a few questions were asked to see if there was something that was troubling the individual that was causing their actions. They were questions to let that person know that we cared and that we were not condemning, trying to help get them back on the right track.

Many years ago, I had a lady tell me that when she was in a relationship, she had been given a time line of when she was to do something to change her life, no "if ,ands, or buts," kind of thing was said.

As we get into the word of God more and more, we learn that His word teaches us our responsibility is to love one another, not to finger point or judge.. Our goal isn't to fix people, so that we can feel like we were the one to change the person. Our goal should always be to share the gospel message that will direct people to the one who can make a change in their life, that's God's love.

When we are sharing one another's struggles, we need to keep in mind that we are following Jesus' example which is love. The person that we met that day was carrying a load of hurt, bitterness from childhood. Fingers were not pointed, accusations were not hurled, but statements were made in love extending help. Remember the woman at the well who had many husbands, the woman who was caught in adultery, the woman who had the issue of blood, and many others, Jesus stepped into what was their reality and led them in love, not judging them for the religious laws they had broken. Jesus' love showed them the way so that they could receive Truth that would be life changing so that they could be healed or restored from previous things.

Our key verse is a reference to Jesus' Great Commandment to love God and to love others. (Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27) It is not our responsibility to demand anyone to change their ways, or to force them to get themselves together. Jesus didn't force anyone, he led by love, truth and they decided themselves what their next step was. Jesus is our example which is love, so we too must lead by example and as we do that same love will change the atmosphere.

Girlfriends, if you are facing a situation right now where you have to talk to someone one on one, let it be done in a loving encounter. Instead of coming at a person in an attack mode, approach in a gentle and loving was, the response will be much more effective. When we come in attacking like a lion, the other person will be scared and will shut down instead of responding. Like the examples that were used in the Bible, each of those women turned from their old ways and they looked so much different after having that personal experience with Jesus, which He flowed in love. Let's all try to remember to work in this way, live in this way as we walk out each day, let it be done in love.

Let's Pray,

Father God, I thank You that You have shown me Your love that help transform me into the person I am today. Lord, I know there are times that I may not do everything right but Your grace leads me through another day. Lord I lift up each one who is here today that has never experienced the true love of God that transforms life from ashes to beauty, from darkness to light, from anger to love. Lord In Your own special way, I lift up each one to You that each one would feel the presence of Your love right now right where they are at. Lord I pray that as each one feels just a touch of Your love that they will see that their life will never be the same, in the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Be blessed dear ones and pass the blessings on.