I think unconditional love is learning to love without expectations and choosing to love even if the other person doesn’t receive it. The outcome is up to them. The obedience is up to me.
Jesus never asked me to only love those who love me or only be considerate to those who’re kind to me. He asked me to love everyone, even my enemies, and to bless those who curse me (Matthew 5:43-48).
If Jesus is wise and all-knowing, why would He ask me to love like that even when it hurts? Because that is how He loves, and He gives grace to survive the hurt.
Love is painful because love is vulnerable. Love is joyful because love is vulnerable. At any given time, love can be painful or joyful, but that’s no reason not to love.
When I’m hurt by someone’s words and actions, I can either draw that hurt into myself and become hard and bitter, or I can give that hurt to Jesus and stay soft and sweet. Not because I condone what they did, but because I forgive what they did, and I receive the grace to flourish despite what they did.
I’m not responsible for how someone else chooses to live, think, or speak. I am responsible for how I choose to live, think, or speak, and that shouldn’t depend on anyone else. Honour is about character, not behaviour.
Honour is about character, not behaviour.
Honour has nothing to do with their behaviour and everything to do with my character. If my character fluctuates based on anyone’s behaviour, then I am unstable and double-minded, and I need to be grounded and stable. Stable character produces predictable honour.
Stable character produces predictable honour.
Unconditional love requires honour. Unconditional love requires character. And unconditional love demands obedience. It’s not possible to love without expectations until you develop the character of true honour.
I was grappling with honour the other day and feeling resentful because I didn’t think it was fair. I felt like I was being challenged to show honour anyway and release the offence. It felt impossible.
When I prayed about it, some Scriptures came to mind that helped me shift my perspective and be willing to forgive so I could love again.
Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You” (NKJV). If I’m hiding the Word in my heart, I don’t have room for bitterness and unforgiveness as well, and those things destroy love and honour. Allowing the Word to work in my heart is what softens and heals my heart.
Allowing the Word to work in my heart is what softens and heals my heart.
Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble” (NKJV). The Passion Translation says it this way, “There is such a great peace and well-being that comes to lovers of your Word, and they will never be offended”.
When I recognise offence for the stumbling block it really is, I’m less likely to be comfortable harbouring it in my heart. And being willing to forgive is how I live out the command to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32 NKJV).
Living by the Word gives me stable character and a soft heart full of love and honour. And that only happens when the Word is hidden deep enough in my heart to change me and keep me from sin (Psalm 119:11).
Living by the Word gives me stable character and a soft heart full of love and honour.
Today, I pray that the Word heals and softens your heart so you’re able to love and honour anyway, even when it hurts.
I pray that you have the peace of those who love God’s law, that He keeps you from the trap of offence and bitterness, and that He causes His grace in your life to overflow.
Wooooooow Otiti, this is
🔥🔥🔥…..
“I’m not responsible for how someone else chooses to live, think, or speak. I am responsible for how I choose to live, think, or speak, and that shouldn’t depend on anyone else. Honour is about character, not behaviour”
There’s no truer, deeper, or more honorable sentiment than the above.
Thank you and more anointing fron God Almighty 🙏 ❤️ 🙌 💖 💙 💕 🙏
Thank you so much
My Mama! 🤗 Thank you for reading. He’s been faithful. I thank God for giving me the words to say.
You’re most welcome; I’m so glad it touched you. Amen and thank you for the blessing; I receive it.
🥰🥰💕💕
Amen. Thanks Otiti. It’s really about what the Word says all the way. God bless you🥰
Hiii, Auntie Aidevo! Thank you for reading! 😀 You’re most welcome. Yes o; the Word has all we need!
Your words were like a gift to me. 🎁The Lords words are life to me. I have been asking for a softer heart. I know better to be trapped by offence but still struggle with it. I love how you explain that to hide Gods words in our hearts is the key 🔑
Thankyou Otiti
Kim!! 🤗🤗 Thank you so much! It’s a blessing to hear how this touched you. I believe the Lord is showing us more of His heart so we can be more like Him and love from a purer, deeper place than ever before. May He keep our hearts soft and malleable before Him 🙏🏾🙏🏾