“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” -Ephesians 5:1-2

Christ-like love is hard to accept because it goes against what we know. It’s unconditional, unending, and undeserved. As Christ followers we’re suppose to love like Jesus. It’s not an option. If we want to be obedient to our Heavenly Father, the sacrificial love of Christ has to be mirrored in our lives.

This simple truth has been on my heart lately and God has shown me practical ways to put Christ’s love into action. Here are a few examples:

• Cook dinner for friends
• Buy someone’s cup of coffee
• Give $5 to the homeless
• Hold the door for someone
• Say “Thank You”
• Wish someone a good morning/afternoon/night
• FORGIVE
• If you see something that reminds you of someone, buy it for them!

I know some of these examples seem like common courtesies, but many have been lost in the hustle and bustle of chaotic schedules and selfish desires. I have fallen victim to overcommitment, but God, in all of His goodness, has shown me how to intentionally love His people. It’s incredible to see how your view of people drastically changes when you realize each and every person you pass is designed uniquely in God’s image for relationship with Him and will spend eternity in one of two places. God could have chosen to share His love however He wanted, but He chose me, and He chose YOU to be His hands and feet!

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” -2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Step out of your comfort zone and love like Jesus! Yes, you may get some funny looks, but that just proves you’re doing something right! In the world’s eyes it wasn’t logical for Christ to die on a cross 2,000 years ago for people who constantly turn away from Him. If we’re to mirror the Love shown at the cross why should our lives and our actions look logical? Be radical. Love unconditionally, expecting nothing in return!

Praying Christ’s love compels you to love!

Meredith

P.S. This was a wish I made towards the end of 2012. Let’s make it a reality!