God
gives us, as evidence of His love for us, this thing. While we were still
rebelling against His authority, His love was extended to us through Jesus
Christ’s atoning death. (Romans 5:8)
Do you trust your people? Do you require
that they earn your trust before you make a significant investment in them? Do
you look for failures to support limiting or withholding your trust? Or, do you
make and keep promises to pursue their best interests individually and as a
group, even if they fail the trustworthiness test?
This passage is hard reading for one who
would seriously try to follow Jesus. The requirement to risk your own status –
physically, emotionally, and financially, for someone who doesn’t appreciate
your gift is hard to accept. To risk your freedom, and even your safety, for
someone who may not even understand what you are doing seems to be a really
dumb thing to do. But, that is the action that evidences God’s love – just as
in Christ’s death. That act is the sacrificial love that brings hope.
Risk it all for your people. Extend your
love to them just as Jesus did; without reservation. Give it all. Give them
hope and love them, even though they don’t deserve it.
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