Thought for Tueaday, November 20th

November 20, 2012

I Love You To Death

“Love demands all, and has a right to do it.”

-       Ludwig Von Beethoven

Greater love has no one than this; that he lay down his life for his friends

John 15:13

I have on many occasions heard it said by a doting grandparent to an infant grandchild: ‘Oh, I just love you to death.’

And in many, if not most all cases a grandparent or a parent would, if need be, be willing to lay down their life to save and protect their child or grandchild: but would we be as willing to do the same for a friend? 

Far too many, in today’s world are far too easily tempted to sacrifice the safety and well being of their children for their own self interests: forget a sibling or a mere friend.  In the name of advancement and self indulgence many friends are sacrificed on the altars of betrayal for the benefit of self advancement.

Yet as Christians we are called on to love to that degree and depth that we would be willing to lay down our life, if necessary, for the good of another.

I wonder, if push cane to shove; how many of us would even be willing to go so far as to lay down our life for our faith and our love for God, much less each other.

For sure the vast majority of us would fall short on this account if our resolve was ever truly tested.  Yet Jesus didn’t.  He went all the way to the cross: demonstrating a dying love for the will of His Father and a sacrificing love for sinners who did not deserve it: for individuals like you and me.

Jesus truly did love us to death: do we love Him in like kind?

Do we love each other that much?

God says if we love Him we will follow His rules and keep His commandments.

How deep do we really love Him, enough to die for someone if He needed us too?

Today’s Prayer

Father, it is so easy to say we love: but it is much harder to prove that we do:  help me to love deeper and to be more willing to act on my love for others and for you.

“There is a candle in every soul

Some brightly burning, some dark and cold

There is a Spirit, who brings a fire

Ignites a candle and makes His home.

Frustrated brother see how he’s tired to

light his own candle some other way.

See now your sister she’s been robbed and lied to

Still holds a candle without a flame.

So carry your candle, run to the darkness

Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn.

Hold out your candle for all to see it,

Take your candle, go light your world.“

-  Lyrics from ‘Go Light Your World’ by Chris Rice