Foundational Truth Number Three for Walking the Christian Life:
I cannot love unconditionally without being hurt. If I am going to love people as God loves me, I am going to be hurt, taken advantage of, even betrayed. I must love anyway. I must love more deeply. My first response must be forgiveness not self-defense. I have the greatest accountability in every relationship; yet, I am the least important person in the relationship. Their needs are more important than mine. The qualities of unconditional love are compassion, patience, and truth. Jesus never looked on the multitude without being moved with compassion regardless of their reasons for searching Him out. And His compassion always produced a compassionate act. Patience allows me to love a person where they are, allowing God, through His Spirit to work in that person's life in His way and in His timing. (I usually find that the things that cause me to lose my patience with others are the things that God is trying to correct in my life.) Truth is essential because any love that is not within the parameters of revealed truth is no longer love. Paul always prays that the church will grow in love and truth. They are inseparable. "If you love Me, keep My commandments" "This is the first commandment: Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength."
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