Extravagant Love!

This series gives real life examples of where our Creator shows us how to love extravagantly.

In like manner we are told to give our lives away, to die to self.

The example of Jesus of Nazareth, our Creator, is to love extravagantly.

I’ve noticed that many people, somewhat naturally, resent it when their partners act in a less than loving and respectful manner. This becomes a problem when we have our priorities backward. If my goal in life is, as is God’s goal for me, to learn to love others, then I would be able to see my partner’s shortcoming not as an irritation that builds up defensive walls in me, but rather as an opportunity to practise learning to love others. This is in fact how God develops our character, by bringing / allowing difficulties to come into our lives.

For example, in order to break our dependency on money and possessions, God doesn’t give us more than enough. He instead removes this idol so that we’re forced to depend on Him instead.

In like manner in order to help us learn to love, God doesn’t leave us in situations where love is lavished upon us (“Even the pagans love those who love them first”). Instead He allows us to struggle with loving the difficult to love. Little by little loving our enemies becomes second nature; it becomes Jesus’ nature which is now fully developed within us.

As Paul tells us, “It’s wonderful how distress forced us closer to God. You’re more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible.” 2nd Corinthians 8:11

Zephaniah 2:3 - Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger.

THIS is love!