|
What
do you love? I have had the opportunity to attend a few major league baseball
games. The number of people around, many of whom are there for almost every
game, amaze me. Some of them spend thousands of dollars a year to follow
a team and a game. I have enough trouble springing for the price of food
at a ballpark, let alone the cost of a ticket. I just don't love it that
much.
Now, if you start talking about computers, I have
a little more trouble with restraint. I work hard at keeping myself well
supplied. To a certain extent, I "love" them enough that I am willing to
pay the cost, just as a "real" baseball fan would for a game. "True love"
will touch your wallet.
John's words in I
John 3:13 are somewhat troubling. "Don't not be surprised,
brethren, if the world hates you." You would think that if you are living
in and radiating the Love of God yourself, there would be no cost, that people
around you would love you instead. As illustrated in verses
11 & 12, that isn't necessarily true.
Along with
your internal change that causes you to love others better, comes a change in
how righteous you live. As with Cain and Abel, that can be very convicting
to others. It cost Abel his life. It probably won't cost you your
physical life, but you must be prepared, as it may cost you parts of your life.
All Scripture references are from the New American Standard
Version unless otherwise noted.
|
~
~
Love's Cost
