“Above all, love each other deeply…” – 1 Peter 4:8 Unconditional love is known as affection without any limitations, or love without conditions. True, unconditional love doesn’t run away when things get tough. Someone who loves unconditionally not only loves the other person despite their flaws, but, they also love them because of them! The easiest example is our love of our family with our children being the prime example.
Unconditional Love Is Powerful
When we love unconditionally, and when we receive unconditional love, we find that there is power in those feelings and actions. We find hope. We find courage. Things we never knew to expect, come from giving to one another without any expectations. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.”
Sometimes Unconditional Love Is Hard
When we love unconditionally, it means that we even have to love people in tough times. This means loving someone when they’re being rude or inconsiderate. It also means loving our enemies. Unconditional love takes work. Matthew 5:43-48 says: “You have heard people say, ‘Love your neighbours and hate your enemies.’ But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for that? Even tax collectors love their friends. If you greet only your friends, what’s so great about that?”
LOVE today How does Love from others make you feel? Love can be expressed in so many ways. A hug, a kiss, a “well done!” or an “I love you” are immediately recognised as expressions of love. Other expressions may be more subtle. Showing interest in others lives, showing kindness and patience, going out of our way to make someone feel special – these, too, communicate love. Fortunately, great amounts of time are not required for us to begin expressing more love. Seconds and minutes are sufficient to lay a gentle hand on a shoulder, to sit together, share a gentle smile or the holding of a hand.
So as we feel the warmth of summer, let’s consider the importance of love. Let’s give more of ourselves & show more love in the things we do & the words we say to those around us.
