Love cannot be forced: it must be freely given – we fool ourselves if we think otherwise. We may want someone to love us, but we cannot win that person’s love by force. Even if we demanded love at the point of a sword, people might go through the motions of showing it, but only out of fear. In their hearts they would despise us.
When nations have forced their religious views on others (the Crusades, the Inquisition, etc), it has always ended in disaster. These unfortunate episodes have blighted Christianity, creating international distrust which has lasted for centuries.
The ‘Cause of Christianity’ will never be won at the ‘point of a sword’. We should remember this when making national policies, work policies, school policies and family policies.
The goal should always be to see people receive salvation and come to love the Lord, but if we think we will achieve this noble aim through legal action, bullying or harassment, we fool ourselves.
Christ has shown us the way by living the example. People flocked to him seeking forgiveness, compassion, grace and love - He never forced himself on anyone. When we start living our ideals instead of forcing them on others, people may stop fleeing from Christianity – and run towards it.
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." - (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
1Jn 3:16: "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."
God have given us unmerited, unsolicited, and unconditional love through his only begotten Son as a sacrifice... So let us show love to our brothers and sisters!
1Jn 4:16,18,20: "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
… There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
… If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"
God bless you! Wishing you a love-full week...
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