People say “I love you” all the time to people they believe they love. Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who often told you they loved you, but you doubted they really did?
Many types of relationships are supposed to include love. However, I have learned that not everyone gives and receives love the same way. There’s an amazing book called “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman, which breaks down this concept very well. After reading it, I learned that people show love and receive love in different ways and with that, a person can end up feeling unloved because the person loving them is doing it in a way that they cannot receive. Their individual “love languages” are different. Therefore they don’t feel, think or believe that they are really loved.
Love can be so complicated!
The word of God says Love covers a multitude of sins. Although I believe this means God’s love covers the many different types of sins we have committed, we should reflect this kind of love with others as well. In John 15:12, Jesus says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” We need to be quick to forgive, slow to anger and know who we are in Christ so that we are not easily offended.
What are we to do when we are offended or hurt by someone in the Church? Instead of walking away, we are supposed to walk towards! Matthew 18:15-16 tells how to respond.
“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it (admits to it and hopefully apologizes), you have won that person back (it gets squashed). 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again (mediators can sometimes help), so that everything you say may be confirmed (at least you really tried) by two or three witnesses (and people know you really tried)”(NLT and me).
Following this simple principal can alleviate strife and division within the church. It is our responsibility as the Body of Christ to be “agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose” (Phil 2:2 NLT).
When we demonstrate our love for each other the way God would have us to love each other, the Language of Love becomes universal.
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