Walking on Breaking Ice. Question About Love, Part 7

What is love? What is truly genuine love?

Jesus was clear on this: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13, NIV2). In other words, love is being willing to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others, even to the point of death.

Using this great truth as a standard, I wonder how my love measures up...

Jesus went even a step further. "For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" (Romans 5:10, NIV2). Jesus exuded genuine, sacrificial love, even towards his very own enemies! This is real, genuine love, to love our enemies more than ourselves!

We may not comprehend such a love. It is only natural, as few have ever experienced such love. Once touched by it, however, we are changed for life. We can't help ourselves but to love like Jesus does.

Sadly, many pretend to be part of the fold, but only have a glimpse of who God truly is because their self-interests or the worries of their lives prevent them from experiencing God fully. If they only had time for God, they would eventually become fully alive. They would realize that it's not about us, it's all about love! It doesn't even matter if we go to church regularly or not. As long as we put ourselves first we will live empty lives.

Our futile efforts are so tiny when compared to divine love. We may give weekly offerings, but these are worthless if love is not our motivating factor. We may preach the Word, but this, too, is valueless without experiencing love firsthand. After all, love came to this world so that we could fully experience Him. Every one of Jesus' followers couldn't help themselves but to genuinely love others, not only through offerings, but also through actions.

Would we be willing to endure what Stephen went through? "While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Then he fell on his knees and cried out, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' When he had said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:59-60, NIV2)

I must ask you to please forgive us Christians who have a hard time manifesting love. We are so distracted by our daily lives that we have not yet fully experienced love the way Jesus demonstrated it. Pray that we will find the source of real, genuine love, so that others may experience Him as well!

During March break, 2013, we headed for Erie, Pennsylvania. We were looking forward to exploring Presque Isle State Park, as it is renowned for its dunes and beautiful beaches. As we approached the shores of Presque Isle, we found ourselves surrounded by mounds and slabs of snow and ice. We couldn't help ourselves but to climb out onto these wonders.

While I stayed behind to take pictures, my youngest son and my wife continued their trek through this "polar" experience. At one time I approached the frozen lake, wondering if it would hold my weight. I took my glove off and put my hand on the ice. I was surprised that there was a layer of water above it, and that the ice could easily be broken off. It's only then and there that I realized that I was actually walking over the actual water of the lake, and that it was likely not all that safe!

I wanted to warn my family, but they had already realized the potential disaster and were safely climbing the dunes. As I looked around, I noticed numerous holes and cracks in this icy floor I was walking on, and I immediately began a cautious retreat to where I came from!

By then my family had followed the dunes back to where I was still cautiously trying to navigate that cracking ice. I could see my son eying the situation, and then suddenly he stepped off the safe ground and began to walk out on the ice towards me. I warned him to stay away, but it didn't stop him. Only when he had verified with his own weight that the passage was safe for me did he speak: "It's safe to follow me now, papa."

That rascal had been willing to sacrifice his own safety to keep me safe! But why wouldn't he, after all? He has experienced Jesus' love firsthand. Love doesn't stop for anything, and especially not for ourselves. This is the kind of love Jesus is offering us. Not the love as we know in this world, but real, genuine love.

Jesus, too, invites us to follow Him, telling us gently, "It's safe to follow me now." So why are you still standing on that breaking ice?

Rob Chaffart

Walking on Breaking Ice. Question About Love, Part 7

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