Picture this...

Good intentions mixed with selfish motives, and love that's so real but we're afraid to let it out, lest something should happen or we might get hurt. One with pride stifles back in reservation, and in another, anger spills out because of impatience.

And all through this, we'll be walking side by side, only wanting to be able to fellowship in peace. To know we can count on each other and that we can hold one another up in prayer with brotherly, agape love. But when love cannot be love, and we're afraid of what people will think when we take our brother's hand and love them.... what have we to live for? What, if love cannot love? Are you afraid of what someone will think by you demonstrating love?

Jesus risked everything for the ones He loved. And still loves. He wasn't always gentle and soft with his words. Sometimes they were just right-out crushing. But he always spoke with a deep conviction rooted and grounded in foundational love for others.

This might sound more like a man-and-woman love, but it's actually every love. If we truly love each other, sisters, let's tell each other, and then stand up for one another when somebody goes to bad-mouthing our sister in Christ. If you truly love each other, brothers, don't be afraid to say it. Boy, don't be afraid to take your brother aside and pray with them. Don't be afraid to let your love burn from the inside out for a fellow soldier. And don't get me started on that holy kiss!

When some one's trying to show love, and they're stopped, don't let that fire get water poured on it. Step in and encourage your brother. Whether it's love in the form of a rebuke or an emotional encouraging speech. Lick up that Spirit-quencher with the fiery love of God. Don't let the flame rest. It's easier to keep a fire going than it is to start a new one. In a world of selfishness and self-righteousness, where almost every good thing is mixed with a dose of pride, lift one another up in prayer and love - truly love. And when you love God with all your mind, all your heart, all your soul and all your strength, you'll be able to master love, in all that Christ demonstrated it to be.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we yet were sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8