Precious Moments That Count For EternitySample

The Love Challenge

I could never understand why the Bible tells us to apologize to someone who has something against us (Matthew 5:23). I mean isn’t that their problem? I’m sure some of you would have thought the same at some point. But that’s not how Jesus sees it. To Him, relationships are everything.
Take for instance His relationship with Peter. Peter denied Jesus thrice. Yet after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to Peter first, before the other disciples (1 Corinthians 15:5). Jesus truly cared about Peter. To Jesus, He wasn’t just another disciple. He was His friend and Jesus wasn’t going to lose him. Jesus wanted Peter to know that his denial hadn’t changed the way He loved him. Above all, He valued His relationship with Peter more than an apology.
Sometimes, all we want from the other person is an apology. Just an acknowledgement that we were right and they were wrong. But, it doesn’t matter. It seems like a difficult thing to do, but the Bible encourages us to love each other as if our life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything (1 Peter 4:8). No matter what the other person has done, love them anyway! The petty fights, the silly arguments, even the big rows don’t stand a chance against this kind of love.
Are you ready for this kind of love challenge? Are you willing to guard your relationships fiercely against offense? Would you protect them with your life and value them above your need to be right?
If you’ve been struggling with unforgiveness, a deep wound caused by a broken relationship or even a small offense, now is the time to ask God to help you see with His eyes of love. He wants to heal you and help you love the way He does.

Prayer
Father God, I believe that You can heal and restore my relationships. I choose to forgive those who have hurt me and I ask You to help me love the way You do. Amen.