1 Corinthians 13:4-7Love 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.
Yes love is all those things but it is also painful. You might be saying," that makes no sense". True love is painful. When you have true agape love for someone your path will not only be wonderful but painful. Agape love embraces an unconditional love that transcends, that serves regardless of the circumstances.
If you feel unappreciated,unloved,or disrespected yet all you show in return is love that's agape love. Showing love to your spouse or others while feeling like this is a Christ like love. I know a lot of people will say that's ridiculous that person needs to leave.
The type of love we should show others is the same as Christ's love is described in Romans 8:35-39-
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Think about the kind of love Christ had to have for humanity. Would you stay in a relationship where your spouse beat you until you were almost dead? Of course not! But Christ Did!
Would you put up with a spouse that called you every name in the book and spit on you? Probably not. But Christ Did!
Would you love someone that when you asked for water they made you drink gall? Christ Did!
I don't think I even have to ask if you would stick around if your spouse stabbed you. But Christ's side was pierced by a spear. He could have left, fought back, or destroyed everyone there; but all he did was say "Father forgive them for they do not know what they're doing." I call that some pretty painful love.
1 Peter 2-19-21- For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
In today's society it's much easier to run away instead of facing our problems. If we can't show true love to the one person we've chosen to unite our souls with; how can we expect to show agape love to others? People marriage and for that matter life is not easy. Everyday is filled with pain in one form or another.
Your spouse doesn't thank you for cleaning the house after working all day, show them love and pray for them. Your kids act like wild banshees on the prowl for souls, correct them with love. Yes I know at this point you are wondering what I'm taking. It won't be easy but the results will be Amazing!
Someone has an attitude with you respond with love. I know it's a foreign concept but anger and resentment only festers away at your soul till there's nothing left. This is why true love is painful.
Romans 13:10-Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.
We are called to be as Christ. A Christlike Love is the most important thing. Love your spouse as Christ loves you. Love your children as Christ loves you. And yes even love your enemies as Christ loves you. Christ suffered immeasurable pain in love for us. Is it too much to ask to try to show the same love to those we hold dear?
Love them not with an earthly love looking for acceptance; but a heavenly love where your reward comes from the Father.
1 John 4:18-19-There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love, because he first loved us.
May You Be Blessed With Peace and Understanding
