“Thank you for your recent radio program, “Hope for the Homosexual” which aired in April. I am a former lesbian. After many years in the gay community, I joined a Christian women’s Bible study, where I met happy, healthy, normal Christian women who treated me with respect. I’d never had my emotional needs met before. My mother had rejected me and the lesbian community was always looking for “lovers.” Being around real Christians was the most healing experience I’ve had. I haven’t listened to Focus on the Family broadcasts regularly, but after today, I intend to never miss it again!

What an example of Christians acting out their Christian love toward an unlovely person. But that mutual respect earned her attention. Let’s be careful not to let our personal prejudices contaminate the Lord’s love for the lost.

What is your take on the above story?

What’s wrong with that picture? Can it be that loving Jesus has no connection with character? Is Christian music simply a part of our culture, but not a part of our heart? A person can wear a cross around his/her neck as a symbol, but not have any relationship with Jesus Who died there for us. It would do us all good to reflect on the above story and ask ourselves just how genuine our love for Jesus really is.

Often we look at someone who is worn or diseased, tattered and torn by life, and our first reaction is to turn away. The way we react to them says in effect, “You are worthless.” Yet, if we allow the love of God to control us, we cannot reject any person, regardless of their condition.

Everyone, no matter what their inner or outer condition, is loved by God. Jesus taught us this when He said, “Anyone who comes to me, I will never drive away.”

Think about the lesson of the loved stuffed animal today when you come upon someone unlovely.

So that evening Sarah – age 6 – wrote a note in red pencil and left it on her daddy’s pillow.

It said: Daddy – I hate you.

And it was signed, Love – Sarah.

Can you use those two terms (Love and Hate) in the same sentence?

“We have neighbors who have two children in high school and one in college, but the parents act like a couple of teenagers. When the husband comes home from work, the wife runs out to the street to meet him, and he carries her into the house piggyback! If the husband is repairing the roof, she is right up there with him. If he’s under their car, she’s there, too. When they sit in church, they hold hands and read out of the same book when hers is right beside her, closed. What do you think of people like them? – St. Petersburg, Fla.”

Abby replied, “Dear St. Petersburg, “I think your neighbors know the secret of real happiness. God bless them.”

Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Paul gave us a description of Christian love in 1 Corinthians 13. He listed 15 specific actions that can be taken only toward individuals. Love must be specific and it is a verb (action word).

My favorite demonstration of this is found in the 1989 movie ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ Cranky Miss Daisy was embarrassed that she hadto have a driver haul her around and treated him as an insult. Yet Hoke, the driver, faithfully served her and put up with her crankiness. And, in time, the relationship grew. That was a wonderful lesson in humble servant-hood and demonstrated love.

“Yes, dear,” she answered.

He softly said to her, “Remember years ago when I was in the Veteran’s Hospital? You were with me then. You were with me when we lost everything in a fire. And Ethel, when we were poor – you stuck with me then, too.” The man sihed and said, “I tell you, Ethel, you are bad luck!”

This humorous story helps us to see how easy people like us can twist love into something it really isn’t. Let’s recognize the love of Christ for what it is.

This “new commandment” Jesus gave is truly amazing when you consider its historical background:

First, there was the Law of Revenge. Before Moses, the law of the land was the law of the jungle. It said, “If you hurt me I’ll hurt you – and then some!” Enemies actively sought ways to settle old scores because revenge wasn’t just acceptable – it was encouraged.

Next, there was the Law of Retribution. In Moses’ time revenge was replaced with retribution which allowed, “An eye for eye, and a tooth for tooth,” but no more (Ex. 20:25). You could do to your enemies only what they’d done to you. That was progress!

Now, there’s the Law of Love. When Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment…love one another,” it was a radically different approach. It meant you didn’t have to get even, you could choose to forgive instead. This new commandment demonstrates the unconditional, sacrificial love God shows to us – then calls us to live the same way!

If then your future life should need
A strength my love can only gain
Through suffering – or my heart be freed
Only by sorrow from some stain,
Then you shall give, and I will take
This crown of fire for Love’s dear sake.

Perhaps you also feel unloved. If so, don’t try to find love by befriending this world (James 4:4-5). Rather, give yourself to knowing and loving God. “He gives more grace” (v. 6).

Brandon Moody was once attending his uncle D. L. Moody’s church on Easter morning. The church was hosting an impressive Passion Play. The final scene in the impressive pageant was a depiction of Jesus’ ascension into heaven. The actor who was playing Jesus was being hoisted by stagehands through an opening in the ceiling.

When Jesus was halfway up, they lost their grip and down came the actor – thankfully uninjured. With amazing presence of mind, the actor jumped to his feet and said to the shocked congregation, “And one more thing. Love one another.”

Love was so important to Jesus that He told His disciples shortly before His arrest and crucifixion, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another…By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).