Have you ever seen someone post on social media about how they feel bad about not reaching out to someone, but then they remember the phone goes both ways?
I understand where these posts are coming from, and I have also felt this way, but if everyone had this attitude, we would never be reaching out to anyone.
This view also contradicts how Jesus tells us to treat others. We are to love others above ourselves. This means we reach out even when others don’t, forgive when others don’t apologize, and be the first to say I’m sorry.
Love Others Above Yourself
Our society is all about self-love and less about loving others. The world tells us to do what is best for us above everything. Although loving yourself the way God loves you is important, as are boundaries, this attitude teaches us to become all about ourselves, while God teaches us the opposite.
Not surprisingly, Jesus is a great example of loving others above himself. He stayed on the cross for the very people who were crucifying him. These people spat on him, mocked him, beat him, and laughed at him. But God’s purpose was bigger than any human feelings Jesus may have had. Jesus saw them as lost sheep, hurting and broken. Instead of hating them, his heart broke for them, and his love kept him on that cross.
The Purpose is Greater than your Feelings
The purpose of being the hands and feet of Jesus and winning people to the Lord is far more important than any feelings we have. When you choose to forgive someone it could be what leads them to God. The fact that you took the time to reach out to someone to check on them could save a life or pull someone out of depression. Apologizing for your part even when you feel they wronged you and not expecting one in return, is a way of showing them the love of Jesus.
Jesus Reached Out First
Maybe you are reading this thinking, but I need someone to do that for me! Then do it for someone else, first. Plant the seeds, and it will come to you as well. But even if it never came back to you, knowing that you are pleasing God by loving others more than yourself is satisfying.
And if no one else on this earth reaches out to you first, remember Jesus did. Jesus called you to himself and desired to pull you out of sin. He continuously reaches for you and desires to love away your hurt. If you turn to him, he will take your brokenness and fill you with his love, peace, and joy. And when we are full of his love, we will begin to desire to pour it out to others.
Let’s Love First
Imagine if we lived with the attitude of love first. Don’t wait for others to love you but love them first. We live in a broken and hurting world that desires love and seek it in the wrong places. True love only comes from the Father, and those who are supposed to be shining his love are Christians.
Instead, we have become too caught up in ourselves and our feelings that we think it should be about us. In reality, it should be all about Jesus and the purpose of the Father. We will never reach the lost if we do not lose this selfish attitude.
The Golden Rule
Jesus stated in Matthew 7:12, So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Jesus did not say wait for them to do it first. If you want someone to reach out to you, then reach out. When you desire to be loved, then show love. If you want forgiveness, then forgive.
God didn’t wait for us to love him to show us love; instead, he loved us while we were still sinners. Therefore, we should love others even when they don’t love us in the way we deserve.
Closing Thoughts
Remember, sometimes boundaries are necessary, as is self-care, but the world has taken loving ourselves to a level that isn’t biblical. Therefore, it is time to put away the worldly view of loving yourself and putting yourself first.
Instead, let us love others with the love that God gave us so we can be effective witnesses of the gospel. Get what you need from God, so you aren’t looking to others to fill you, and see how much love you will have to give.
Referenced Verses: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A12&version=ESV
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