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ONLY LOVE

  • Writer: Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
    Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
  • Oct 13
  • 3 min read

Readings:

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Psalm 66:1-3,5,16-17

Matthew 18:15-20

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I do not know how to keep malice. I do not know how to go to bed angry. And for a while, I thought it was a weakness that I could not carry hurts or words said to me in anger or spite with a bold face. But over time, I realise that I am only responding the way I know how to. I grew up in a home where my parents loved each other. And even though sometimes they give themselves the silent treatment, for one reason or the other, it did not last long. I also realise that if I take my faith seriously, I cannot hate because humility and hatred do not mix, just like water and oil.


What do we do when we find ourselves on the receiving end of someone else’s bad behaviour, hurt words or actions?

  • Recall your history. How does your family resolve conflicts? If you have ever had a good experience of conflict resolution in the home, start it. Let others learn from you. If you had a stable family, you are compelled by that background to treat people well.

  • Pride makes us unwilling to let go of hurt. Some things that could have been resolved by calling the erring party’s attention are now allowed to fester, or we bury the hurt under busyness and distraction, until it bursts forth in unpleasant ways. Let go of pride and let go of hurt.

  • Your good relationship and your understanding of others are the proof you show to non-believers. If they see that you relate well with your brothers and sisters, they are encouraged to join our community of love.

  • You cannot claim to be Christian if you do not imitate Jesus in the most important aspect of His life, which is love. He says that those who do not love cannot claim to have known God because God is love (1 John 4:8). You can only behave like the people you are related to and what is familiar to you. This is why Jesus says, “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48). Your heavenly Father calls you to be like Him, to imitate Him, to look like Him. Only then shall our prayers rise to heaven.

  • Only with love can our work become a transformative force. Whatever is bound on earth shall be considered bound in heaven if we love each other and work together. And God shall grant all we need, so long as we love each other. The reason we make minimal progress is because we spend so much time on hatred, misunderstanding, misrepresentation, malice, bickering, and bigotry that we forget the only reason for which we exist: to love God and to love our neighbour.

                                                                                                JUDE-MARY OWOH



To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”

 If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.



Prayer:

  1. As you make the turnaround in your life to love others despite their flaws and shortcomings, may God bless you and grant your good heart’s desires through Christ our Lord. Amen.

  2. May the Eternal Father, the author of love, free your heart of every malice and hurt, heal you of every heartbreak and disappointment and establish you in peace, serenity and hope through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
 
 

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