I don’t think any of us see it this way. I know I don’t see it in myself.
Even so, I have become convinced the biggest obstacle for me, (in personal evangelism) and maybe for you also is I just don’t love people enough. I have come to the conclusion, and it hurts, that Jesus loves lost people a whole lot more that I do. He died for everyone in the world. More often than not I am annoyed and irritated by them. Even my use of “them” betrays my heart. How I can, I reach out in love to people I don’t love? And how do I develop the capacity to love people like Jesus? (especially like He loves me)
The kind of love that Jesus possesses is a sacrificial supernatural love. It isn’t normal we can’t will our way to people with the intensity of Jesus’ love. We have to ask Jesus to give us his love for others. To see people the way he sees them. People know if you love them. People also understand if you are just “after” them to make a mark on your spiritual scorecard.
When we authentic love other with no strings attached, we see them differently. When we see people differently, we treat them differently. When we treat others differently, they stand up and take notice. When they take notice, they ask why. When they ask why. When they ask, we have an open invitation to tell them about Jesus.
It sounds simple. The truth is loving people like Jesus is too demanding for me with my strength. That is why we need Jesus’ supernatural love. Ours just isn’t enough.
Take that simple step. Pray that Jesus will give you his love.
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for loving and forgiving me. You saw all my faults and ugliness and reached through them and loved me. Your love changed me and my life. Allow your love to flow through me so I can see what you see in the people around me. Give me the ability to love them the way you love me.
Thank you Jesus,
Amen.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16