What is the real meaning of love? Or what is love? What does it truly mean to love someone unconditionally? We as fallen human beings do not possess the same power to love one another unconditionally as God does. Although we can try, it’s hard to love that certain person ALL THE TIME through the good and bad, the ups and the downs, the highs and the lows. It’s easy to love during the good, the ups and the highs but what does it take, as Christians to also love through the bad, the downs or the lows. To some it may be that they were hurt and struggle to love because of that hurt.

I struggle with this, I went through some difficult times in middle school and now I find it hard to say anything good or uplifting about the people who hurt me. But think about the awesome example Jesus gave us with His death on the cross. As Jesus was beaten, cursed, spit on and ultimately hung on the cross, did he bad mouth all the sinful people of the world that he was dying such an excruciating death for? Actually it was quite the opposite. He asked His father to forgive them. He endured that because he loved us so much and wanted us to spend an eternity with him.

So if Jesus Christ can do that, what will it take for us to show some love for that person that offends you. If the offense was in the past, then forgive and reconcile. Isn’t this how Jesus taught us to pray? "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." – [Matthew 6:9-15] If the person continues to offend, then continue to forgive and pray for them. Jesus taught us of this perseverance as well did he not? "Forgive 70 x 7" -- [Matthew 18:21-22] You don’t have to continue being around the person but keep your arms open for such a time their heart changes and they want to have a relationship with you.

Conner Liberto