The exercise of love

You can love a person because you have to; because they play an integral part in your life (at whatever season in your life). But is that really effective? What if they make it real hard for you to love them. You love them because you know you have to fulfil the law of Christ. But do you want to love them? Wanting to love them is another ground to cover.

Not wanting to love a person is evil in itself. But when you look at it in terms of them making it so hard to love them is where the essence of love (Christ's love) really lies. This is the hard part. It's like exercise. I exercise because I have to. I don't want to be weak and die before my time so I exercise, which will profit that goal a little. But I don't necessarily want to do it, nor do I feel like doing it because it requires strenuous effort that doesn't always feel good.

I guess in that case, you're supposed to exercise love in like manner, and it takes practice. Exercise love until you break through and it just becomes second nature. Eventually if I keep exercising, my body will respond favorably. I will become more toned, have more endurance, and be able to take more pressure. However, I can not become comfortable with the same exercise regime or my body will get used to it and it will no longer be as effective. I have to then force myself to go into a more strenuous exercise regime...a deeper and divine love.

The exercise is not treating people the same way I want to be treated. But doing this even when they don't return the same courtesy. If I keep at this exercise regime, eventually my heart will begin to respond favorably and I will see positive results...whether they ever accept my love or not.

Romans 13:8 "Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Matthew 7:12 "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."

I know this is 1st grade to some of us Christians...but it never hurts to be reminded why we are to love even the unlovable. And it makes me evaluate myself...do I make it hard for others to effectively love me?

HAPPY SWEETEST DAY!

L8r:
~faithful