February Prayer Newsletter | CEF of SC Inc., Greenville/Piedmont Chapter

LOVE

John 13:34-35 (ESV) – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Valentine’s Day is celebrated in February, designated by many as the month of LOVE. We see love represented in countless ways in our world. I recently read a historical account that to me is a beautiful example of love for mankind.

As a member of a book-club my favorite genre is historical fiction. We recently read a book about the German occupation of Denmark during WWII. I have enjoyed reading various stories about this widespread war. I’m fascinated with the many and diverse stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things to preserve life, to protect, to provide, and to survive in the face of hate and evil.

Denmark was no exception and has a quite unique story. While especially small, the country took action to protect their citizens so that 90 percent of the Jewish Danes survived the Holocaust. It is an incredible story because it all happened very organically. There was no pre-determined course of action. Word was leaked that Nazis were going to capture all the Danish Jews (about 7,000) within a fast-approaching window of time. Within hours of that news, the Jewish and non-Jewish citizens sprang into spontaneous activity. The non-Jewish citizens began moving people into hiding, providing food, shelter, and encouragement at great risk for their own lives.

I am taken aback by what regular people will do for others in the face of tragedy or impending danger. There are many examples throughout history of great sacrifices made from love for others. Love is the only thing that can provide that kind of motivation.

Jesus was once asked, what the greatest commandment was. He was being asked by people who were experts in the law trying to trap him. His response was surprising–– he said, “Love.” To summarize what Jesus said in Matthew 22, most importantly is to love God with all that you are, and secondly is to love people the same way you love yourself. In John 13 (above) Jesus is telling his disciples about love. He did not suggest to his followers that we love –– he commanded it. He said that is what would make his followers stand out . . . not great sermons, not outstanding achievements, not deep wisdom of scripture, not impeccable discipline, and rule-keeping, but one simple thing. Love.

It is harder to find examples of sacrificial love in everyday life. I wonder why it takes tragedy, destruction, and disaster for people to spring into action for their fellow man? Such circumstances certainly have a way of uniting people, but tragic circumstances surround us all the time. Do we show love for the homeless person in the cold? Or the elderly in isolation? Or those who do not have enough to eat? Or the irritating and opinionated neighbor? Or children who are loud, and messy? Or the poor? Notice that Jesus’ commandment to love did not include any parameters around who to love. He didn’t say to love just those who look like we do. Or those who don’t pose a threat to us. Or those who agree with our religious or political bent. Or those who do not need anything from us. Or those who speak the same language. He said to love everyone because then people will know we belong to him.

When Jesus faced impending death, no one, not even his closest friends defended him – they ran away and hid in fear. They denied that they knew him. Knowing that he was going to suffer terrible physical pain, abandonment, public humiliation, and a tortured death ––Jesus said nothing to his accusers. He did not argue or defend himself in any way. He faced his fate aloneand willingly. He laid down his life for the very people who left him, lied about him, spit on him and blamed him. THAT, my friend is the example of love to which we are called!

Those who displayed love by hiding Jews from the Nazis, if caught, would have met certain death. I wonder if you and I as believers would be evidenced guilty of love for God and for man. When others think about who loves them well, does your name come to mind? Will we one day be missed because of our generous love? Let us make every day Valentine’s Day because we live defined by our love.

For HIS glory,