WHO HAVE LOVE

The famous story of How The Grinch Stole Christmas written by Dr. Seuss tells of a character called the Grinch who had a problem. His heart was two sizes too small. This is why the Grinch hated Christmas and everything else about the merry Whos of Whoville. By the end of the story something unexpected happens. Exhausting every resource at his disposal to ruin Christmas, the Grinch sees the Whos celebrating and loving each other even though they had nothing. “And what happened then...? Well...in Whoville they say, that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day!”

The Grinch’s heart grew because he saw how the people loved each other no matter the circumstances. Once he saw their unconditional love, he wanted to be a part of it and he wanted to have it. It is no wonder his heart grew! He had never before experienced that kind of unselfish love that was not based on getting or gaining more.

Jesus gave his disciples a new command in the book of John chapter thirteen and verse thirty four: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” The Old Testament command said to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul, and to love your neighbor as yourself. What is the key difference in this additional command? We are to love as Christ loved. It is a love that was demonstrated to us on the cross, when He died for us, even while we were unlovable and still sinners.

This love is a radical love. It is a sacrificial love that is willing to put others’ needs ahead of personal needs. It is a forgiving love that is willing to forgive without limitations. It is a love that helps even when it does not fit into the schedule. It is a love that does not complain, even when it has been wronged. It is a love that is hard to live by, but it is a love that we are called to strive for. That is why God sent His son and left the Holy Spirit with us so that we could have supernatural strength to love as He loved.

It is when we love like this that others will be able to catch a glimpse of Jesus and not the Grinch in us. It is when we are Christ-like not Grinch-like that our hearts will continue to grow and as a result other people, whose hearts are perhaps two sizes too small, will respond to God as they see us who have love lived out before them, especially during the Christmas season.


Comments

  1. Sana Nutrition NotesDecember 13, 2010 at 8:23 AM

    Sadly, here in NC (& viewed nationally, likely) some so called "christians" took to the streets to protest a woman's funeral because she was a public figure they disagreed with. Excuse me, I thought, when did "christians" get to be God, judge, & jury? Christ himself told the men that the one with no sin was to cast the first stone on the woman taken to him for adultery. None could cast a stone. And didn't Christ tell us Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy? And didn't Christ also say Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted? There were mourners there, and they were afforded no mercy by those who should be loving their neighbor as themselves....we are forgiven so we should be understanding forgiveness....it was a real offense in so called "christian" testimony to see these women out there waving their signs of judgmentalism. How am I to keep the minds and hearts of my children focused properly when such stupidity goes on that offends so strongly....Okay, they/we may know the truth, but so many DON'T! It hurts.

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