This raises many challenges for me and many questions. For example, what does it mean to love an unwed, pregnant woman who is seeking an abortion? Certainly it does not mean helping her find what she seeks. What does it mean to love a child who is seeking a gender change? Certainly not to help her find drugs / surgery that will likely destroy her life. It is not always obvious what loving someone looks like in real practice. There is such a thing as malevolent compassion, where in our efforts to love, we actually do harm. I believe that "Loving like Jesus" should include leading a person to God and away from sin. Loving someone means wanting the best for them, even when they don't want the best for themselves. Loving someone isn't always easy....and loving like Jesus is never easy, but we're called to do our best. I think each of us needs to think about what it really means and how to do it and better yet, pray about it and talk with others who have love in their hearts and discuss how best to express that love.
Shout out to our pastor, PA, as it’s his birthday today. Loving like Jesus looks like this according to our Pastor…
welcoming and meeting everyone where they’re at.
Encouraging others to their God given potential.
Building genuine relationships with others and wanting to hear their story.
Acknowledging and valuing everyone.
Servant heart, humbling self to any mundane task.
Liz, I think you meant that as a compliment, so thank you. However, being a pastor is a way more difficult job than I could ever have handled. I am continually amazed at how they do what they do.....every week. Nothing but respect here.
But I will return the compliment....your posts are always insightful and thought provoking. I hope there will be more of them.
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This raises many challenges for me and many questions. For example, what does it mean to love an unwed, pregnant woman who is seeking an abortion? Certainly it does not mean helping her find what she seeks. What does it mean to love a child who is seeking a gender change? Certainly not to help her find drugs / surgery that will likely destroy her life. It is not always obvious what loving someone looks like in real practice. There is such a thing as malevolent compassion, where in our efforts to love, we actually do harm. I believe that "Loving like Jesus" should include leading a person to God and away from sin. Loving someone means wanting the best for them, even when they don't want the best for themselves. Loving someone isn't always easy....and loving like Jesus is never easy, but we're called to do our best. I think each of us needs to think about what it really means and how to do it and better yet, pray about it and talk with others who have love in their hearts and discuss how best to express that love.
I think Mike is a pastor in the making…
Shout out to our pastor, PA, as it’s his birthday today. Loving like Jesus looks like this according to our Pastor…
welcoming and meeting everyone where they’re at.
Encouraging others to their God given potential.
Building genuine relationships with others and wanting to hear their story.
Acknowledging and valuing everyone.
Servant heart, humbling self to any mundane task.
We all love you so much!
Liz, I think you meant that as a compliment, so thank you. However, being a pastor is a way more difficult job than I could ever have handled. I am continually amazed at how they do what they do.....every week. Nothing but respect here.
But I will return the compliment....your posts are always insightful and thought provoking. I hope there will be more of them.