“As I have loved you and do love you, love each other.” This is the clearest indication you belong to me and understand the Gospel. (Paraphrase of Jn.13:34-35). “Be kind and tenderhearted to one another”—not resentful and impatient. Eph. 4:32. “Forgive someone 7 times? No, think in the grace-realm of 77 or 490 times” Matt.18:21-22. Don’t fret, “things impossible for people are possible with God” Lk.18:27.
Dear Jesus, when it comes to knowing you, those little words called “prepositions” are super important. Your life FOR us is the totality of our salvation. You + nothing is the mathematics of mercy and grace. You lived for us and died for us, and you are now 100% of “our righteousness, holiness, and redemption” (1Cor.1:30). Whew!
And your life IN us is our hope of glory (Col.1:27)—the guarantee our Father will complete his work in us (Phil.1:6). Not metaphorically, but actually, you live in us by the Holy Spirit—and you will never leave or forsake us. And a major Hallelujah… you also live OVER us as our reigning King, great High Priest, and soon-returning Bridegroom. Everywhere we look, you are.
This leads us to another glorious preposition—”through.” Jesus, because you are our life (Phil.1:21), and because one Day we will be fully like you (Rom.8:28-30), please love THROUGH us. We’re tired of making excuses for why we don’t love well. We’re weary of qualifying, minimizing, and excusing ourselves from the demands of love. So, Jesus, love through us. Don’t just empower us to love, love through us—supernaturally, wondrously, beautifully.
It’s not as simple as “we’re a glove and you’re the hand.” Better, more glorious, and actually—we share a union WITH you that is real—not theoretical or metaphorical. Please love through us Jesus, this very day—the easy, not-so-easy, difficult people, and impossible you’ve woven into our lives. All FOR your glory. So Very Amen.