Love’s Reciprocity
THE topic upon which I am writing about, I must admit, I know very little about. I have joined in this ageless conversation, because the little I know compels me to share. The truths within me rage to be free so they can wash away the ignorance which dirties our understanding of Love. I can enter any conversation about Love because I know Love. But, I say this with the caution of a sneaky mouse. Again, I only know a little because who can know God? That wonderful, merciful, graceful, and eternal Being? Who can know Him?
As you have once heard it regurgitated, “Love is a two-way road.” Socially this has become a parrot-like response, rather than an edifying teaching. When it is used, typically, the speaker is using it to deflect their responsibility in the deterioration of the relationship. The saying is used defensively in conversation, with the purpose of absolving the person in question. In other words, the accused cannot be found guilty because they cannot be held responsible for their lack of love. If the accuser wanted the accused’s love, then all the accuser had to do was initiate. This is the argument. Yet, the debate is circular. It only produces immature finger pointing.
The debate is circular.
Once both parties exhaust themselves with redundancy, it is revealed that the lack of desire to initiate by both parties will have been because of a petty or frivolous or immature act which halted the flow of love. There was an unresolved tension that hardened the person’s heart over time. Now this adage, really, this traditional saying, is dangerously subtle because it is a half-truth. Yes, love is mutual. We must prove our love through our behavior, but true love is unconditional. People who love will reach out 365 days first, without ever thinking about why the beloved has yet to do the same. Our flesh relishes in this half-truth because it logically justifies our selfish behavior. Logic, however, is not always logical. Children for at least 10 years of life cannot love their parents intelligently nor mutually. They are leeches who at most can provide a shallow form of companionship like that of an animal. Yet, children are not abandoned because they cannot walk the parallel road of love.
Logic, however, is not always logical.
This argument is longer than I can write, but my point is this— love is unconditional. As Christians, we should love as the LORD loves. Anything less than that is sinful and may I remind you that we will be held accountable for the good we do not do. For our God, is a just God who sees all and examines every motive behind every choice we make. We should show mercy to other humans often and daily and sincerely. For no soul was made poor by loving too much or injured by forgiving too often.
For no soul was made poor by loving too much
Praise be to Him, that He never waited for us to respond to Him or reach out to Him first. Loving as the LORD loves is not easy. Loving other humans who sin against you is not easy. Loving people is the most difficult thing to do in this world. No human is easy to love. Yet, the attempt to love like the only God is the most revolutionary act any human can engage in. Hence why Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesus the Christ, and Gandhi have all chosen love as their superpower to change the world. Christians must mature out of this demonic, selfish thinking; and, love freely and deeply and constantly. Christians must love. Is not the call to love the greatest of all commands from Love Himself? May the Lord give the reader and writer grace to love like Him. Time is running out and judgement is approaching.
“Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.”
