Human Love

Human love is based on instincts and is natural according to our being. It is good but at times when we depend too much on our feelings, we become highly emotional and impulsive in our actions causing pain to others and making mistakes. Human Love varies with peoples' innate capabilities to love. As a result, we do not understand what each other wants in truth and become presumptious of what is needed and truly beneficial for them. Conflicts arise when we do things that we think are what others expect of us but in the end result in more harm rather than benefit them. Conflicts also arise when we think we are doing more for the other and are not getting the same measure back. Fear exist because we are unsure of whether what we are doing will be perceived as an act of love for the other or as a selfish act for oneself ; whether by giving love, we will be returned with the kind of love we expect to receive. Although human love is good, but we know it is insufficient.

Christian Love

Jesus told us to love with all our mind, all our heart and with all our strength and our neighbours as ourselves ( Luke 10 : 25-37 ) .

Christian Love or the love of Jesus is one of intelligent love with an awareness of what is good for oneself and also good for others according to the will of God ( using your mind not only the heart ); even though it means helping the others embrace suffering. Wisdom guides the actions of Christian love and this helps us to do what is best and right for all. For this reason, there is no element of uncertainty or what is unknown which causes fear. We do what is right according to the will of God with courage and make the difference that will help build oneself and others whom we encounter. In Christian love, there is a common understanding of what this universal love is (1 Cor 13) and this brings all peoples to unity and peace. The love exhibited by the Good Samaritan towards the Jew is the best example of love where we learn to love everybody. Like Christ we must learn to love each one (our neighbour) individually and in loving each one individually we love everybody.

Why do we need to know Christian Love ?

Christian love is not about being called a Christian. It is not to be treated as a religion but a Way of life which Christians identify as Christian love; such as the way the Good Samaritan treated the injured Jew.

If we look into the Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the topmost layer is one of Self-actualisation apart from the material and social needs. Human love will only enable us to meet out social needs and is a necessary condition for christian love but not a sufficient condition if we strive towards our spiritual needs in Self-actualisation. Human love will fall short of our expectations in meeting our spiritual need to Love in its truest sense. That is the meaning of Life.

We need to practise Christian love because it builds us and others whom we relate to in a wholistic way. We do not remain stale and remain in our comfort zone limited by our innate imperfections. Each of us has a potential to love like Jesus did since we were created in God's image. We should not limit ourselves but strive to exhibit this perfect love that gives us meaning in life and achieve the fullness of Life.

In Christian love, we think before we act and know the will of God for all which can only be good. We do not act because we feel it is good for us or good for others, but we are fully aware of what is best in the eyes of God.The people we come into contact with become better persons because we are genuinely interested in ensuring that our love and actions build them in a wholistic way. In doing so, we do not always try to ensure the other party stays away from danger and sufferings, but help them to embrace these tribulations when it is God's will for them to experience them. This is unlike Human Love where we tend to be protective or do only what is pleasing to the other when we show them love, even though in truth it is not beneficial for them to avoid sufferings or to have what they want at that moment in time. We in exhibiting Christian love enable people to journey through life with us and Christ.

In Christian love, the characteristics of Christ Love exist. Forgiveness, Compassion, Patience, Perserverance, Hope, and Non-legalistic but practical with the context of the situation. Throughout Jesus' life we see how he has exhibited this love to all. If we truly want a win-win situation in all our relationships with people, let us focus on our relationship with God, see how he has shown us His love and let us live life to the fullest by loving others the Way He loved us. Universal peace and unity shall follow.

Written by Carol

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