How do you love people you don’t know?

Why do people, especially Christians say, ” I love you or I love you all” to each other and people they don’t know?”

Why? Why is it so easy for us to say that? Do we really mean it? Do we truly love them?

During my first few times at my local church, I was so uncomfortable and awkward. Why?

Because there was just so much love in the air. You might ask, how is that is a problem? Well, it was for me, because I was not used to so much love in the church and among Christians. I grew up in a church where all we did was gossip about one another, get dressed so you could look better than someone else. You literally have to pick your outfit a week before Church so you could outdress others. We gave fake smiles and smirks. And suddenly I find myself in this new church, where everyone is so loving, they are hugging me and acting so nice (My church has literally turned me into a hug maniac. So, you can look forward to a hug if I ever meet you😁.)

However, what really touched me was when a lady gave me a hug and whispered, “I love you.”

Immediately in my head, I went, “WHAT! Did I hear you right? “You love me?” Woman, I don’t know you and you don’t know me.” I awkwardly smiled and walked away rolling my eyes. I was a messed up “Christian” at that time. Thank God for His grace.

She kept saying this every Sunday while hugging me and every time I was so uncomfortable. However, the longer I went to Church and started studying God’s word more and more. I began to feel and understand God’s love for me and it would be selfish not to share this love with others. The Bible says we should love God and one another unconditionally.

This lady didn’t need to know my history to decide whether she should love me or not. Rather she welcomed and loved me unconditionally. As a daughter of Abba which she is, she simply extended the love of God to me. God loves us unconditionally regardless of who we are. So, why do we have to become detectives and tread carefully when it comes to extending that same love to others?

As Christians, love (agape) is our trademark. This is a love that goes beyond just saying it to expressing it in our actions. We suddenly find ourselves on our knees praying for others, sharing the word, giving godly counsels and even material things with them because we love. We find ourselves becoming Christlike. 

In John 13:34 – 35 Jesus said,  “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

 

Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

Now, when the lovely lady at my church says “I love you”, I reply by saying, “I love you too or I love you more” sincerely. Because now, I understand the love. It is no longer strange to me because I spend time with love (God) Himself. 

We should be able to love other because of the overflow of God’s love for us. I love you because God loves me (Trust me I am one nasty and messed up person. And if God loves me regardless, who am I not to love you?)

So, I want to believe that when Christians say, “I love you”, we do mean it because that is what we have been created to do. 

God Bless

Eternally Loved,

Esther Ademiju