Is Loving God Easy; Is Loving Others Easy Too?

Fanny Rodríguez

Author

Fanny Rodríguez

Summary: Love can move us to act with courage and self-sacrifice, like the mother who, despite not knowing how to swim, plunged into the lake to save her daughter. In an even more perfect way, God loved us while we were still living in sin and sent His only Son so that we might receive eternal life through Christ Jesus. This wonderful gift of salvation deserves our gratitude and a daily response: to love God completely, obey His commandments, and bring His love to others. We must ask Him to teach us to love fully and unconditionally, especially those who have hurt us or with whom we have difficulties, beginning with our family, friends, and companions.

God's Unconditional LoveCelebrating God's LoveProclaiming God's LoveObedience and LoveGod's Grace and LoveGod's Transformative Love

I was listening to some colleagues talking about the news story of this mother whose daughter, while playing, ran and fell into a lake near their home; without thinking, she jumped into the water to rescue her. The interesting thing is that the woman did not know how to swim, and they found this incredible. But we know that miracles still happen today and that God gave her the confidence to jump in and save her little girl. Everyone agreed that, when her child is in danger, a mother not only does heroic things, but things that are humanly impossible. I wondered, what motivated her to act without thinking about seeking help? Perhaps calling 911 and explaining to them that she did not know how to swim—no, she simply leaped into the water. She was motivated by the most powerful force there is: LOVE. She thought only of her little girl; she did not even think about the fact that she herself was putting her life in danger.

Now, do you think that if the person who was drowning had been someone who had hurt her, ignored her, or was an enemy, she would have jumped in to save that person? I do not think so; perhaps she would have called or found someone, but she would not have risked her life. How wonderful it is when I think that, although we were living in sin and against God, He nevertheless sent His only Son to die for us. God is LOVE, and in the book of John we find that wonderful passage which we should continually remember: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. God’s LOVE is perfect, and we can all enjoy this wonderful gift of salvation in Christ Jesus. Therefore, we must also remember God’s command that we love Him completely: “Therefore you shall love the LORD your God and keep His ordinances, His statutes, His decrees, and His commandments always.” Deuteronomy 11:1. This means that we are to love and obey Him; there is yet another implication of this command, and that is that we are to love others.

Heavenly Father, during this month in which this nation celebrates the day of LOVE and friendship, urge us to take time to meditate on Your wonderful LOVE and thank You for the salvation of our souls. Help us bring that LOVE to others, especially those with whom we have problems, including our spouses, children, siblings, parents, friends, colleagues, and those who need a word of LOVE. Teach us to love as You do, totally and unconditionally. I ask this in the glorious name of Jesus, amen.