In the previous blog post, I wrote about the challenges that I face in trying to love people after being disappointed or wounded. Outside of Him, it will never happen. In Him, it is difficult but not impossible. If I became a Christian, I took Him on. I decided we live in tandem. He dwells in me. This is the only way I can still love after being hurt when my human inclination is to give up. These were the verses from In Him Part 1:
“the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ro. 8:39
“it is Christ who lives in me.” Gal 2:20
“… if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” Romans 8 :11
“do you not realize about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you?” 2 Cor 13:5
So, I can’t say that I am incapable of loving and living like this. I just need to remain In Him even when every bit of my heart is resisting. Other people’s sin creates a darkness that is super hard to see through, but In Him:
“In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Jn 1:3-4
If I don’t stay In Him, my own sin becomes an issue but He never destined for me to lose my connection with Him. He picked me to be with him and to live as a free, sinless, uncondemned daughter:
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love…” Eph 1:4
Yet, it is up to me:
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you,” Jesus said (John 15:4)
“If Jesus must tell us to remain in him, then he seems to be assuming that it is quite possible not to remain in him. The common life is, in fact, a life lived separate from him. And that is a dangerous place to live. We cannot enjoy the fellowship of God, or his protection, or all the benefits of his kingdom unless we remain in him—that is, live in him—in our day-to-day lives. Vine and branches, Shepherd and sheep. Stay close. Stay with me, Jesus is saying. An old saint said to me years ago that the devil doesn’t so much care what particular thing he gets us to fall prey to. His primary aim is simply to get us to do something outside of Christ, for then we are vulnerable.” (from Ransomed Heart Ministries www.ransomedheart.com)
I am probably about the hardest headed and sometimes most hard-hearted person that He has to deal with at times. Still, I do believe that Love can live even in hurt and I believe that Love can exist even when trust is gone. I am not saying that truth can’t be spoken. In John 18, Jesus is on trial. He is asked a question and He answered. The response He gave resulted in an undeserved slap. Jesus challenged the official that did it.
“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” vs. 23
He didn’t condemn or retaliate. But he did speak the truth in love about sin. That is the beauty of Jesus. He is honest but continues to love and it is that powerful Love that I harness when my own heart falters or altogether stops loving. So, things change after hurt, and Love takes on a different look. Not so much me, instead, it now resembles Him. I realize then, that I can still pray, serve, speak, hope for anyone in Love no matter what, but it is only possible In Him.
Love Always (even when it’s hard) ❤❤❤
https://youtu.be/jVAxCFeFFcA