Very insightful Nigel... I agree with you that trying to make ourselves better to be loved is one of the biggest lies of the devil and one most believed by many Christians (including myself, something I struggle with almost daily). It's hard to break out of those patterns of false belief... I look forward to hearing more of what you have to say on this
Caroline | Homepage | 01.29.07 - 10:43 am | #

Hi Nigel. Very thought provoking. I think that love is mostly the choice of the lover, seperate from any efforts made by the person being loved, making it an act of grace. That is why its so incredible and why we feel undeserving of it. After all, God showed love towards us in that while we were still sinners (very unlovely), Christ died for us. Jesus demonstrated love towards people who most others disliked - the samaritan woman, zachius etc. 'It you want to be loved, be loveable' makes it seem that it is something that must be earned.

Thanks for the post. I'd heard that statement before, but never thought about it.
Mark | Homepage | 01.29.07 - 12:07 pm | #

Thanks, guys. Appreciate your feedback and thoughts. - Nigel
Nigel | Homepage | 02.02.07 - 11:01 am | #

Very thought provoking indeed. Just the way the words were delivered it just brings tears to my eyes. I never thought about this way before, your post has really revolutionized my life and Christian walk.
Tim | 02.02.07 - 3:33 pm | #

I agree. Jesus loved us when we were most unloveable and loved through no effort of ours: "[H]e saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy [grace, love,...]" (Titus 3:5a). He calls us to love His way--in spite of, not because of, and to demonstrate his inherent "loveableness" to the world. We are called to obedience, but even in this calling, once more He does the hard work, through the Holy Spirit--no brownie points for us here, either
Bea | 02.02.07 - 7:08 pm | #

Thanks for the tremendous encouragement, Tim; and for that right-on verse, Bea. - Nigel
Nigel | Homepage | 02.05.07 - 1:45 pm | #

Ah, but with great love, comes great hurt & rejection. Jesus faced that, and so therefore so must we! Do we not love sometimes, just so that we can spare ourselves the pain! And yet in being Christlike we have to realise that while there is much pain, there can also be much joy!
Maggie | 02.08.07 - 12:51 am | #