Application thoughts

Read the prescribed Bible passages. 

Our greatest acts of valour, generosity, or spirituality are nothing, if we don't have love for others. In fact, Paul equates them to an annoying disturbance, if we do not do them in love.

Loving people is difficult and risky. How often have we run from people because we are afraid that they will hurt us? Self-preservation is a very human instinct. And yet, God calls us to rise above our humanness, one more time. 

John puts it blatantly when he calls us to love not just at the risk of getting hurt, but at the risk of losing our very lives.

Who are the people that the Spirit has already brought to your mind, as you read this?

Will you pray and ask God for the strength and courage to love?

Realize that it's not that there are one or two people that we struggle to love, but our general attitude is such that we would rather hide than be hurt.

Will you submit that attitude to God?