What does love really look like?

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 
If I have the gift of Prophecy and can fathom all Mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy,  it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 
And now these thing three remain faith hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 
- 1 Corinthians 13

We've been reading these verses to our children to let them know what Valentine's Day is really all about... and so that they can understand what real love looks like.

Today, following someone's words or behavior, you can hear throughout the house the question;
"... was that loving? Is that really love?"
(Even mommy has had to check herself!)

As we've observed the behavior and words of some Christian brothers and sisters in response to the refugee/immigration issue, we want to ask; "...but is that loving? Is that what Christ's love really looks like?"

We have been saddened to realize that many of our American brothers and sisters are becoming steeped in the nationalistic "America first!" mantra and a patriotism fervor that reaches a level of self-worship since last year's raucous election.  (Self, being our Country.)

Whatever happened to "God first!" ?
First and foremost our heart's desire should be to see His Truth reigning on the world stage: not the advancement of our party's or even country's political agenda.

I know that I myself have fallen into this nationalist trap in past years... and while we are so thankful for our Country and are incredibly blessed to have been born here, we know that this is not our home; and in fact, is not where we should place our best hopes and dreams and efforts.

But the "America first!" passion that has risen in 2017 even among Christians, is most alarming because it reveals so much about the heart.

These conversations all seem to be rooted in one emotion: fear.

Fear that our comfortable lives here will change.

Fear that welcoming others will somehow threaten the "safety utopia" we have carefully constructed around us.

Fears that we might even have to share some of our vast resources and our wealth may be diminished.

Sadly, sometimes when you try to engage a conversation from a Biblical standpoint on refugees or immigration, what is thrown back in your face is;

"Don't you love your country?"

"Are you for open borders?" 

"Why don't you want to keep America safe?"

(For the record, we believe the immigration system in this country has been broken for a long time and there are many things that need to be repaired! However that's not the point of this post.)

As our nation engages in a national dialogue (argument, really) about these important issues, it's vital that Christians stay above the fray. For, as our pastor so eloquently preached this past Sunday, we believers will be held accountable for how we treat one another... whether graciousness or vitriol abounds.

What has reached a level that sounds ungodly is, sadly, the apparent lack of understanding of what Christ's ministry here on earth truly was all about. If we are called to follow in sync with Christ's footsteps, we have to know what His mission is!

He didn't come to save and preserve only Americans! Though our judeo-christian history is special and unique, to whom much is given; much is required! How can "One Nation, Under God", perceived by the whole world as the freest, most prosperous nation of predominantly Christians, not show Christ's love and compassion?!

What speaks volumes around the world is our obvious interest in self-preservation; an "America First!" policy that does not represent Christ well.

Nabeel Qureshi, author of "Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity", and a speaker in Ravi Zacharia's ministries,  wrote:

"There are simply too many barriers for Muslim immigrants to understand Christians and the West by sheer circumstance. Only the exceptional blend of love, humility, hospitality, and persistence can overcome these barriers, and not enough people make the effort."

American self-centeredness and misplaced priorities, lack of compassion, while being cloaked in pious religiosity, serves only to push other peoples further away from Christ instead of being a sweet aroma of Christ that draws people to the Truth of the Gospel!

Today is Valentine's day where we all focus on love and what that truly means as believers in Christ. We pray that our conservative Christian brothers and sisters in America would soon realize that nationalistic fervor should take a very distant backseat to our passion for Jesus Christ, His ministry here on earth, and where God's heart truly is; illustrated so magnificently in Revelation 7 verses 9-12:

"... I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. 

They were wearing white robes and we're holding palm branches in their hands. 
And they cried out in a loud voice: 

    "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worship God, saying: 

   "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen!" 

And Revelation 7 verse 17:

"...for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

♡ "Happy Valentine's Day!"
Let's all love as Christ loved us! ♡