In the original post on this topic I presented a view of living your best life contrary to what the world would have us believe. It rejected our propensity for treasures on earth and happiness at all cost offering instead a call for endurance through an abiding dependence on the Lord.
In our enduring, which according to 1 Corinthians 13:7 is love reflecting fruit (Love…endures all things), we speak forth of a higher calling. A calling not to self-love, but to a love of Savior who laid down everything for us. A love that propels us then to cast our hope on what’s unseen (Hebrews 11:1).
In this foolishness, as the world’s sees it, we align ourselves to God’s upside-down economy. Starting with a Savior who denied his rightful place at the Father’s right-hand in heaven, he stooped down in the form of a helpless babe to make right what’s broken. During his time on earth he socialized with the marginalized and rebuked the righteous. Salvation, he guaranteed to sinners, the ones who were undeserving and knew it. To these his grace was in abundance, for the rest his judgment secured.
What does this have to do with us living our best life? Everything for those who are in Christ.
Jesus tells us that we will be identified as his children by our love (John 13:35). But the love he’s talking about is the same kind of love he bestowed upon us (John 13:34).
- Love that is steadfast and faithful even when the other person doesn’t deserve it.
- Love that is sacrificing– giving up oneself for the good of another.
- Love that absorbs the sin of another against us without making that person pay or holding it against them.
- Love that always seeks the other person’s best, which may not be for our best.
- Love that is patient and understanding, not frustrated.
- Love that is compassionate on others in their weakness and sin instead of judging or condemning.
- Love that bears with others in their hurt instead of hurrying them to be okay.
- Love that endures for the long-haul, for better or worse because it’s love that hopes in the gospel.
Love that apart from his grace is impossible for any of us to show. No wonder then he says this is how we’ll be known since it literally requires the Spirit’s intervening work for any of us to love as he did.
To love this way – to live this way – this is living our best lives. This is the standard. A life of serving, not self-seeking.
Thinking about how much I don’t love like this is convicting, but in a way that makes me even more aware of how much I need a Savior.
May this spur you too to draw near to him in confession and repentance, knowing you can because of his steadfast love. May it spark conversation around your table as you talk to your spouse and/or children about what love looks like in our various relationships and what it doesn’t. And may it lead to less self-centeredness and a greater awareness of how to live our best lives loving others well.
