My Dear Friend,

Of this truism there is little doubt: the Christian's greatest challenge is to live in Christ in the love of Christ.

That amazingly sweet yet strong divine love is described in Psalm 62. "To you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love" (Psalm 62:12, ESV), or "faithful love" (CSB) or "unfailing love" (NLT).

This love, or affectionate preference and care for another more than oneself, is far more and far stronger than mere human love. The latter easily breaks down when common human offenses, such as, misunderstandings, unkindnesses, retaliatory pettiness, and other ungracious attitudes and spiteful actions occur. Under such stresses, it cannot or, more accurately, will not, remain affectionate, kind, and gracious. But the former, God's love, the love that is referred to in our text, rises to meet the challenge of unloving words or actions in others. Every time!

It puts forth the effort to understand people who are very difficult to understand. It chooses to be patient, again and again, with people who seem to never learn, never change, never improve. It tries sincerely to accommodate others' needs, and often, their wants. It is willing to suffer a wrong or two - or two hundred! - without succumbing to self-pity. Why?

Such a Christian has believed the apostle Paul's great revelation that the love of God, yes, the very love that indwells the Eternal God, and nothing less, has been planted in their heart by the New Birth and Baptism with the Holy Spirit: "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:5, NKJV).

With this realization in mind, they have made two firm, binding life-choices:

1. To live in Christ in the love of Christ

2. To focus on loving others as Christ has loved them, and is still loving them

Why have they made these two crucial decisions?

Jesus has called every Christian to this greatest of all challenges: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34, ESV). He further stated that this is the unerring litmus test of who is, and is not, one of His true disciples: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (13:35, ESV).

Jesus' key words in His command that we love each other are "as I have loved you." When mindful of these five words, it is impossible to hold a grudge with another, to withhold friendship, to forego kindnesses, to refuse to bless, to intentionally frustrate others' desires, and so forth.

Truly, Jesus has loved me, and you, my friend, with the strongest love in the universe. According to Psalm 62:12, God's love is:

• A "steadfast" love - a love that is consistent, steady, always the same

• A "faithful" love - a kindness that is rooted in faith in God, and that therefore does not abandon others or become adversarial, no matter what

• An "unfailing" love - a love that persists, and perseveres, and suffers yet, amazingly, does not fail to show kindness, favors, assistance, or affection

"Steadfast," "faithful," "unfailing" - my fellow believer in Christ, this describes the love of our Lord toward us. He is possessing and showing this affectionate preference and care for you and me right now. As I write. As you read!

May our Spirit-indwelt consciences from this moment onward urge us daily to do as He has requested, and love every person we meet with His powerful, enduring, unfailing, overcoming love, especially those closest to us - fellow Christians, spouses, and family members. Impossible?

Not at all! Paul met this challenge. He chose to live in Christ in the love of Christ. And under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul described that amazing divine love for us in 1 Corinthians.

• "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged . . . love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every [adverse] circumstance"

⸻1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NLT

Make no mistake, this is the greatest challenge! Choose today to walk in it.

And when your challenges come - and they will, often and unexpected! - do not be quick to quit. Rather be determined to persist in your prayer-covered, grace-aided quest to have and show constant kindness. If you fail and fall miserably a thousand times, then rise up again a thousand times. But do not give up!

Instead persevere in the grace of resilience. Again and again and again. Until, one day, it hits you: you are living in Christ in the love of Christ! Every day now. And it is natural to you, not foreign; your new norm, not a rare occurrence.

But by far, your greatest joy will be this: Jesus is pleased. Deeply! "Well done, good and faithful servant!" There is no greater joy than knowing your life-walk is pleasing to your Savior. That you have earned your salvation? No! A thousand times no! But your salvation, particularly in the area of His love, is on display in your life daily. And this is deeply gratifying to the One who let His body be broken and blood shed to reveal Himself through those He would save. And the joy does not stop there.

Everyone around you will be blessed, so blessed, because you have chosen to persist in Christ's steadfast, faithful, unfailing love. In due time, they will praise God that Christ's love is being manifested through you toward them, and others, to enrich their lives and lead them, also, to live in Christ's love. And they will love you for it. Love you instead of Jesus? No! A thousand times no! But they will be so thankful that you allowed Christ to live in you and shine His amazing nature through you.

And you will be blessed, so blessed, by realizing that, through the power of Christ's redemption working in you, your life has not only pleased Christ but has also been pleasing to all whom you live and work with, worship among, and meet. This will mean you live regret-free the rest of your days . . . until He comes!

Maranatha - He is coming soon!

Dr. Greg Hinnant

GREG HINNANT MINISTRIES