Love Never StopsSample

Day 6: Loving Every Day, Part 1

Making the choice to love daily requires us to consider our value system. Love never stops means we love at a high level with a commitment to certain values that are intentionally and individually developed in the life of every Christian. (1) Radical hospitality, (2) compassion fueled by mercy, and (3) disruptive generosity are the values that we grow in commitment to, as we are transformed by God’s love. These are the values that Jesus says we will be judged by at the end of time when He is determining the authenticity of our faith (Mat 25:31-46).

In our Bibles, the New Testament word for hospitality means love of a stranger. At the same time, when we think of hospitality we tend to think of hosting someone and caring for their immediate needs. Christians have been accused of going overboard for the last two millennia when it comes to hospitality, but the truth is we are radically hospitable. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Mat 25:35).”

Compassion is another word for love, but if we are to be like Christ, we are called to a deep love that is driven by mercy. Instead of looking past a person to love them in spite of who they were, Christ looked at people and loved them in the depths of his understanding of them (Mat 9:36). Compassion that is fueled by mercy requires us to love someone in their circumstance, even if it’s difficult. Love never stops. It’s about coming alongside and being in it with them. “I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me (Mat 25:36).”

Christians may be best known for their generosity, and yet there is a level of generosity that can disrupt broken systems and restore God’s design for families and communities. This happens when we target our generosity and commit ourselves to strategic resourcing. We will be accountable for the intentionality with which we love our neighbor as our self, “I was naked and you clothed me (Mat 25:36).”

This is what godliness looks like. This is Christianity and it can take many forms. One of the ways that you can live out these values is in partnership with Safe Families for Children. Safe Families for Children hosts vulnerable children and creates extended family–like supports for desperate families through a community of devoted volunteers who are motivated by compassion to keep children safe and families intact. With Safe Families for Children, radical hospitality can be hosting a child in your home for a short period of time. Compassion fueled by mercy can be befriending a mother who lacks social connections. Disruptive generosity can be resourcing families that are hosting children and/or families that are learning God’s design. This is how love never stops.

Reflection/Discussion Questions:

Reflect back on the themes we’ve explored: family, purpose, brokenness, hope, connection, and overcoming fear. How are compassion, generosity, and hospitality both motivators and practices in living these themes out daily?

Is God calling you to be a part of the Safe Families movement? In what way?