"True Love" | March 2, 2025 | Eric Ward

In a world often driven by self-interest and fleeting emotions, what does it truly mean to love? How can we love others well, especially when it's difficult or even seems impossible? These questions lie at the heart of understanding genuine, biblical love - a love that goes beyond mere feelings and transforms lives.

The secular world defines love as "an intense feeling of deep affection." While this captures the emotional aspect, it falls short of the profound, action-oriented love described in scripture. Consider the words of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance."

This passage paints a picture of love that is active, selfless, and enduring. It's a love that perseveres through challenges and seeks the good of others above personal comfort or gain. Jesus himself exemplified this love, telling his disciples in John 15:12-13:

"This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends."

But how do we cultivate this kind of love in our daily lives? How do we love well when faced with difficult people, challenging circumstances, or even potential danger? The key lies in developing what we might call a "kingdom mindset."

Living with a kingdom mindset means viewing the world through the lens of God's greater purpose. It's about recognizing that there is darkness in the world - pride, anxiety, unfaithfulness, selfishness, addiction, and more - but also understanding that God's kingdom of light is the cure. When we make advancing God's kingdom our top priority, it transforms how we approach relationships, challenges, and opportunities to show love.

This mindset shift doesn't happen automatically. It requires intentional effort to change our thoughts, which in turn transforms our hearts. As Philippians 4:8 instructs, we must fix our thoughts on "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable." By doing so, we open ourselves to God's power, which enables us to love in ways that seem humanly impossible.

Consider three powerful examples of individuals who embraced this kingdom mindset, allowing them to love extraordinarily well:

1. Jesus in Gethsemane: On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus experienced intense anguish, knowing the physical and spiritual suffering he was about to endure. Yet, he chose to focus on the Father's will and the ultimate purpose of his sacrifice. His prayer, "Not my will, but yours be done," exemplifies putting God's kingdom above personal comfort or desire.

2. The Apostle Paul: Despite facing persecution, imprisonment, and physical attacks (including being stoned and left for dead), Paul continued to love others by encouraging churches, spreading the gospel, and ministering to both believers and unbelievers. His unwavering commitment to God's kingdom empowered him to love persistently in the face of extreme adversity.

3. The Ecuador Missionaries and Their Families: In the 1950s, five young missionaries felt called to bring the gospel to a dangerous, isolated tribe in Ecuador known as the Huaorani. Despite warnings about the tribe's violent nature, these men - Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, and Pete Fleming - pursued their mission with love and non-violence. Tragically, all five were killed by members of the tribe.

What happened next, however, is a testament to the transformative power of kingdom-minded love. Instead of seeking vengeance, many family members of the slain missionaries chose to continue their work. They traveled to Ecuador, built relationships with the Huaorani, and shared the gospel message. Over time, many tribe members, including some of those involved in the killings, converted to Christianity.

The story of Steve Saint, son of Nate Saint, and Mincaye, one of the men who killed his father, is particularly powerful. Years later, they formed a close relationship, with Mincaye even "adopting" Steve as his son. Mincaye's testimony speaks volumes: "Before Jesus, my heart was black. I killed over a dozen people in my young life. Now with Jesus, my heart is washed with his blood. I no longer have a desire for violence."

This radical transformation extended beyond individuals to impact the entire tribe and future generations. The Huaorani, once known for their 60% homicide rate, experienced a complete cultural shift. Today, descendants of those early converts are ministering to others in their region.

These examples challenge us to examine our own approach to love. Are we allowing our emotions, fears, or personal comfort to dictate how we love others? Or are we embracing a kingdom mindset that empowers us to love beyond human limitations?

Developing this mindset isn't always easy. It can be challenging to prioritize God's kingdom when faced with difficult people or situations. Some may feel exhausted from trying to love well consistently. Others might find the whole concept foreign or confusing, perhaps because they lack a personal relationship with Jesus or have drifted away from faith.

Wherever you find yourself on this journey, remember that God's love is available to you. He desires a relationship with each of us and offers the strength we need to love others well, even in the most challenging circumstances.

As we navigate our relationships - whether in dating, marriage, family, or community - let's strive to cultivate this kingdom mindset. By doing so, we open ourselves to experiencing and sharing a love that goes beyond mere emotion - a love that has the power to transform lives, heal wounds, and bring light to the darkest places.

Reflect on your own life: Where do you struggle to love well? How might embracing a kingdom mindset change your approach to difficult relationships or situations? What small step can you take today to align your thoughts and actions more closely with God's perspective on love?

Remember, true love isn't just a feeling - it's a powerful force for change when rooted in God's eternal purposes. As we learn to love with a kingdom mindset, we become part of a greater story - one where light overcomes darkness, forgiveness triumphs over vengeance, and the impossible becomes possible through the transformative power of God's love.