Learn to Love Them Like Jesus

God’s love for our kids who identify as LGBTQ has no limits, and yet He **sets** limits for each one of us who belong to Him. Being His child does not give any of us a free pass to keep on sinning willfully–just as being trapped in sin does not mean we get kicked out of His family. He is faithful and will see them (and us) through, and we must follow His example. We must learn to love them like Jesus.

Jesus showed us what it means to love hard without compromise; our responsibility is to go and do likewise.

He loved the woman at the well. He loved her enough to “go there” with her–to have a very uncomfortable discussion with her…and then He gave her hope.

He loved the woman caught in adultery. He loved her enough to rescue her and then He told her to leave her life of sin.

He loved the rich young ruler. He loved him enough to tell him the hardest thing that young man could hear–to give away everything he had–and he had a lot! Then Jesus loved him enough to let him walk away….

He loved Lazarus. It appeared Jesus didn’t love Lazarus enough; after all, He let him die. But then He gave him life again. (Note: It wasn’t really about Lazarus at all–or any of these people for that matter.)

He loved Mary and Martha. He loved them enough to allow them to suffer. He loved them enough to let them unload their pain and anguish on Him. He loved them enough to cry with them. And then, when they thought all was lost, He gave their brother back to them, along with a newfound hope beyond hope.

He loved Peter. He loved Peter enough to reinstate him to a place of leadership–even after his wretched betrayal.

He even loved the ones who crucified Him. He loved them enough to pray for their forgiveness–even though they were not sorry at all.

In all these situations, Jesus remained true to who He was, to His identity, to His Father God, and to what He knew to be true. He did not kowtow to those who rejected Him or His stipulations. He did not rescue them from their choices or from being hurt deeply. But He did tell them the truth with incomprehensible love and sincere compassion. In the context of that love and compassion He set some pretty tough limits.

Compassion Without Compromise

Even though He lets us be hurt, Jesus is not unkind.

He loves us enough to be honest with us. He is not an enabler.

He loves us enough to let us walk away. But He never walks away from us.

He didn’t compromise what was true or what was best for the people with whom He came into contact back then. He did the hard things without apology. He is no different today. He expects no less of us.

Therefore, we must be willing to do the same with our LGBTQ loved ones. It’s never an easy task; it takes a LOT of courage! However, our God is so good; He will be with you every step of the way.

If you are struggling with finding the balance between expressing love and setting limits (boundaries), please contact us. We are here to help.

#loveandtruth
#bepatientinaffliction
#bearwithoneanother
#bearoneanothersburdens
#lovehangsinthere
#loveneverfails