Learning to love

 20 Sep 25

Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Life Application Study Bible Devotion


Learning to love

Most of us have learned how to pretend to love others-how to speak kindly, avoid hurting their feelings, and appear to take an interest in them. We may even be skilled in pretending to feel moved with compassion when we hear of others' needs, or to become indignant when we learn of injustice. But God calls us to real and sincere love that goes far beyond pretense and politeness. Sincere love requires concentration and effort. It means helping others become better people. It demands our time, money, and personal involvement. No individual has the capacity to express love to a whole community, but the body of Christ in your town does. Look for people who need your love, and look for ways you and your fellow believers can love your community for Christ.


“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Reflections

I think nobody born as humans knows exactly how to love someone else, besides themselves. We were taught to love ourselves, and there were sayings even that says "人不为己，天诛地灭" (rén bù wèi jǐ, tiān zhū dì miè) translates to English as "It's every man for himself". If only Jesus’s teachings were in every school and taught people how to love, perhaps then the world will become a much better place.


In situations where we got hurt, whether physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually, our soul or spirit suffers. It pushes us to a place where we’re modified to think that we need to put up a wall around us, that there is no good in this world and every single human actually has an evil intent. The world has taught us to be selfish, look for our own interests, “other people die is other people’s business”. It has turned the whole world to a cold place. No kindness, care and compassion, what more love? Well, not saying there’s no hope at all, there are still nice and good people around but they are rare.


I thank God for Jesus who came and redeemed us, setting us free from bondage, to let go of our past grievances and live a risen life, nailing all our sins with Christ on the cross. I thank Him for teaching us what true love means, that comes from our hearts, that has no ulterior motives and finds joy with sharing this kind of love to others and with others. 


Indeed, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬..

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