“Dear friends, since God loved us THAT much—so much that he gave Jesus to save us, we surely ought to love each other” (1Jn.4:11)
Lord Jesus, nothing is more daily than our relationships—beginning with your relationship with us. Because of what you have done for us, we live under this glorious declaration, “No condemnation for your sin remains” (Rom.8:1), and this forever-flying flag, “His banner over me is love,“ and this permanent state of freedom, “You are no longer under the demands of the law, but forever in the delights of grace” (Rom.6:14).
Though it will take heaven to perfect our love for you, your love for us is as all-out, full-fledged, and un-wavering as it will ever be. Hallelujah, and thank you. While it’s true that hurt people hurt other people; there’s a greater truth we want our lives to demonstrate: Those whom Jesus loves seek to love others with the same love (Jn.13:34-35).
Jesus, you never promised us conflict-free, always-connected, never-disappointing relationships this side of heaven. But you have promised us we’ll never experience a Jesus-absent day, or a morning that doesn’t begin with Abba’s new mercies, or an afternoon and evening not filled with the Spirit proclaiming our belovedness. Hallelujah, and thank you.
Jesus, make our awareness of your love for us 100 times greater than our awareness of how people love us “incompletely”—and how we “return the favor.” We don’t have a single relationship beyond the need and reach of your grace. Forgive us for under-believing the Gospel and over-believing the worst of any of us. Free us from relating to others more out of our insecurities than out of our in-Christ-ness. Help us, Jesus. Free us. Heal us. Then free and heal us some more. Thank you for securing the Day we will be made perfect in love (1Jn.4:17-18). So Very Amen.
