The Measure of Love

Our men's study group this morning studied the new obedience article in the Augsburg Confession. Doug asked a very good question about the measure of love. Has the Church ever offered guidance on this? We talked about the measure of love being precisely how we treat our enemies, the people who are most unkind to us and take advantage of us. Praying for them, speaking well of them, seeking God's blessing on their lives. And forgiving them as often as they ask - our Lord's famous seven times in a day. Such love is only possible for us in union with Christ, for He is that Love and His Spirit pours it into us. He is the one who loved His enemies, and prayed for those who drove the nails, and sought to bring the blessing of eternal life to our whole race. We are freed in Him to grow in that love day by day, and God continues to set before us wonderful opportunities to practice it. What is the measure of love? The man hanging upon the tree, bloodied and battered, and seeking only to draw all people to God. "We love, because He first loved us." Grant us, Lord, to grow in Your love, for we know that this alone is LIFE!