Christian Love is something you do.

     The woman owned most of the land in the community and she was the queen of the society in her town. In the 1960's she had urged her church to sponsor and integrated summer program in their downtown church.  Naturally the officers of the church voted to approve this program, even holding their noses, because she thought it was a good idea.

     The young pastor of that church was now sitting in her parlor and venting his anger and frustration because the treasurer of the church would not write any checks to pay the bills for the integrated program because he did not think it was something the church should be doing.   The young minister was ranting and complaining and telling the woman how much he disliked the treasurer.

     The woman kindly looked at the young minister and said, "Oh, you don't know him like I do. You have not lived with him as long as I have. When you get to know him better, you will dislike him even more.

     But "Whoever told you Christian love is about how you feel towards somebody?  Christian love is not how you feel. Christian love is something you do."
 
     And it is true all through the New Testament Christian love is about doing to those you don't like, whom you cannot stand, and doing to them what you would do to those you like. It is about feeding those who you think are lazy and worthless. It is about clothing the children who sass you. It is about treating those who are sneaky and mean, the way you would treat the kind and gentle.

     Jesus says that our place in heaven depends on how we treat those who are not the best and brightest. They way we feed the hungry, the thirsty, the lame, and the prisoner is the way we treat our friends. Jesus asks Peter, do you love me?  Then feed my sheep.

     Jesus on the Cross did not just die for those whom he liked. Jesus died on the cross to save those who persecuted him very much as he died for those he liked. Christian love does not care how you feel about somebody. It is about doing for all people what you would do for your friends.  Love is something you do.