"You water down Christianity and make it about love. And that makes it too easy."

I'm still not quite sure what to do with that statement, other, frankly, than chuckle. And then, sigh.

Because there are so many who don't want to make Christianity "about love"....or are under the illusion that love is always the easiest path.

Is the Christian faith about love? Yes. There is no other answer. God gave His only begotten Son to die for us so that we may be saved...out of love. The whole of the Bible traces God's love, compassion, mercy and grace towards those who seek Him. The beloved Apostle John tells us "God is love" and we're told in Corinthians "to do all things in love."

Love is the over-riding theme of the Bible, and thus should be the theme of anyone's life who says they follow Jesus. If love is not the main attribute in how you deal with others, examine your faith.

Is love easy? Good grief, no. It is easy to love those who are like us, who share our interests and beliefs...we all have people like those in our lives. We call them friends, and, if we're lucky, maybe some of them are family members too. It is natural to love them...but what about everybody else?

Those who have radically different views on life, faith, society? You're to love them too. Doesn't mean you have to agree with them, doesn't mean you can't express your opinions and knowledge, but you have to do so with love in your heart, and love in the manner in which you conduct yourself.

What about those who hate you? Yep, you have to love them too. You don't have to stay around them, but you do have to love them, bless them, pray for them. And that's hard, my friends. I come from a background where it is too easy to carry grudges and a healthy chip on the shoulder....and love demanded I put them down and walk away. That I forgive, and that I pray, earnestly pray, for those who have wounded me. And sometimes God changed the other person, but I can tell you this, He always changed me and my heart through the process.

Love is not easy, it is the harder road, the higher nature. God calls us to be His children, and He gives good things to both the good and the evil of the world. He gives the chance of redemption to all who will believe, and He gives of His goodness to all who will receive. And He wants us to show that same crazy, wild, reckless, generous love to those we meet. He wants the love of His Son, Christ Jesus, to shine out of our lives and into the wounded souls of those around us. He wants us to seek out the lost, the hurt, the angry, the broken, the vulnerable and tell them they are precious...to God and to us.

God wants us to have a love that can't be explained, only experienced. And only He can transform us to have that love in our lives. I know when I've met someone who has been made a new creation in Christ, they bubble over with the love of the Lord. It can't be hidden; it twinkles in their eyes, comes out through their words, shows in how they treat the people around them. They're quick to pray, and moved to action. They're filled with the gentle word, the stirring testimony, the kindnesses given, the ineffable joy. Joy and love, mercy and compassion are all found in the hearts of those who have heard Christ's call....for He doesn't leave us as we are, but remakes us to be more like Him.

Love isn't easy sometimes...sometimes the only way we can give it is through the strength of the Lord, helping and guiding us. But love is always worth it, for as we love, we follow God all the closer. As we love, we are embraced by His light all the more. As we love, we allow Him to work through us. As we love, we become more like Him.