A life-giving, life-living kind of love…

by Erin O'Hara

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NIV)

Alec Hail shared a testimony within the sermon this past weekend sharing the love relationships between his family and the members of his small group – he mentioned being there the day our children were born. To the side, you’ll see pictures of Alec holding Isaac and Eva. His tie in to the sermon message on The Cross is the verse above - that Christ’s love compels us…to no longer live for ourselves but for Christ who died for us…When we join the family of God, it is that - a family. We are called to lay our lives down for one another just as Christ laid his life down for us. This takes sacrifice, selflessness, time and devotion to others.

David and I have been privileged to be in the Hail “family” for the last 5 years “doing life together.” We’ve eaten together, joked and laughed, gone on trips, served beside one another, taken care of children, made meals, grieved and wept with one another, studied scripture and the nature of God, prayed earnestly for our marriages and shared in community at a deep level with one another – we have laid our lives down for one another. It hasn’t always been easy. There have been times we’ve disagreed with others, were tired, selfish for time alone, unwilling to share our real selves or just busy. But Christ’s love continues to compel us to share in love and live for Him, not ourselves.

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you... And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Colossians 3:12-14 (MSG)

The scripture above was read by Alec at one of our initial small groups and he asked that we adopt it as a goal for our group. In five years time, love has permeated our relationships; we have fallen in love with one another and built lasting relationships. We have incarnated the love of Jesus to one another. It has been a powerful picture of how God shares His grace and love through people and why He calls us to - why His love compels us to be Jesus to one another.