“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” Philippians 2:1-2

The hurt I felt was very real. Which proved something beyond evolutionary theory, because I wasn’t the one most affected by what happened. Someone I love was. Being human, and feeling the pain second-hand, the natural urge to become angry and DO something about it seemed even more justified. But the decision was not mine to make. So I learned a lesson at another’s expense.

It’s one thing to be wronged or hurt yourself. Having been through countless unfair and painful experiences from people, I’ve learned to adapt and move on. But when someone I love is hurt, the “make it better” in me rises to almost super-hero status. I’m compelled to make it right and, if possible, take the pain away from the one I love. Even God has proved, that is not always possible.

Paul used the ‘if…then’ argument to make HIS argument about the Love of God toward ME… found in Christ. When I chose Jesus Christ to be my Savior and to live in my heart, I was IMMEDIATELY made God’s child. But like a child, I am required to learn what it means to act and live out that ‘right.’ Three steps forward and 2 steps back is the way Chuck Swindoll explained Christian Growth.

Looking at my life I must ask myself, “in Christ, have I been encouraged? Comforted? Have I experienced fellowship and compassion from Him and His people?” Knowing that I have, I am then persuaded to have the same attitude, love, spirit and purpose as He does through His Church. Jesus is saying, through Paul, ‘if you’ve gotten love… show love!” Paybacks and getting even are out!

When my loved one was wronged, I was taught, by watching, to NOT throw stones back at the one that did the hurting. Living in a VERY hurtful world, that is a decision that needs to be made by me every minute! Are YOU growing forward into the image of Jesus and ‘loving’ instead of trying to get even? Even God had the right to simply kill me in my sin. But He chose to Love me instead.

Love…. It’s a choice!