The Power of Selfless Love
Loving Others without Ulterior Motives
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11) These words remind us of the importance of loving others with a pure heart. However, it’s easy to get caught up in our own desires and forget the true meaning of selfless love.
A Well-Meaning but Misguided Approach
Take Charlene, for example. Whenever she met someone new, her immediate thought was, “This person needs Jesus.” While her intention was good, her approach often came across as insincere. Her friend Lisa, with whom she shared a common interest, began to feel uncomfortable in their friendship. Charlene would enthusiastically share the Gospel with Lisa, but Lisa sensed that Charlene’s motive was to score points rather than genuinely care for her soul.
The Consequences of Misguided Motives
Lisa eventually confided in Charlene about her feelings, revealing that she felt like a trophy to be won rather than a person worthy of love and respect. Charlene was taken aback, realizing too late that her actions had been driven by a desire for self-validation rather than a genuine concern for Lisa’s well-being.
A Lesson Learned
Charlene’s experience serves as a valuable reminder to examine our motives when sharing the love of Christ with others. We must be careful not to view souls saved as mere notches on our belts, but rather as precious individuals for whom Christ died. When we approach others with a selfless heart, we open the door to meaningful relationships built on mutual respect and trust.
Remembering the True Purpose
As we strive to love others as God loves us, let us remember that our goal is not to accumulate spiritual trophies, but to bring glory to God by loving others without condition or expectation of reward. By doing so, we reflect the very nature of God’s love, which is pure, unconditional, and life-changing.
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