Loving First

”Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.“ (‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬)

“God’s love takes the initiative”. This isn’t just a quote from Sunday’s message. It is our example as we strive to love like Jesus.

Loving as Jesus does is no casual task. If it’s done right, it’s more than we are even capable of on our own.

And there’s one thing about human nature that we can be sure of. When a task is difficult, no one likes to make the first move. One of the hardest things to do is go first.

In our calling to love the lost, love our church body, love those who have wronged us… one of the hardest things to do is go first.

To send the first text. To begin the first conversation. To build the first bridge or tear down the first wall.

It’s much more comfortable to respond instead of initiate. Our fear of rejection isn’t so loud when we reach out only to those who have first reached out to us.

When they ask me where I go to church…then I’ll invite them.

If they apologize…then I’ll make things right.

When they invite me first…then maybe we can build a friendship.

This may be our human nature, but this isn’t God’s nature. Jesus’ love reached out to us first. It wasn’t about how we would respond- it was about showing us Who He was.

Love initiates because the risk of rejection has already been factored in. The cost has been counted, and the effort is still worth it.

Maybe they brush it off. And maybe they cling to it for dear life.

Sometimes it may not seem to make any difference. Other times it will make all of it.

In the end, it’s worth it regardless of the response. Because we’re trying to love like Jesus. And our love never looks quite as much like Him as it does when we love someone first.