While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. --ROMANS 5:8
Expectations create conditional love. "I love you, but I'll love you more if."
Now I know what you're thinking. Shouldn't we expect the best out of one another? Shouldn't we encourage each other to strive for excellence and never settle for anything else? Absolutely. But it was Christ who taught us how to use expectations. Does He demand a lot? You better believe it. Does He expect much? Only our best. Does He have expectations? Just that we leave everything, deny all, and follow Him. The difference? Jesus' expectations were accompanied by forgiveness and acceptance.
Study attentively these words written by Paul: "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." When did He die for us? When we reached perfection? No. When we overcame all temptation? Hardly. When we mastered the Christian walk? Far from it. Christ died when we were still sinners. His sacrifice, then, was not dependent on our performance.
When we love with expectations, we say, "I love you. But I'll love you even more if.?" Christ's love had none of this. No strings, no expectations, no hidden agendas, no secrets. His love for us was, and is, up front and clear. "I love you," He says, "even if you let Me down. I love you in spite of your failures."
One step behind the expectations of Christ come His forgiveness and tenderness. Tumble off the tightrope of what our Master expects and you land safely in His net of tolerance.
SPREAD THE WORD THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Alone, expectations can be bullets that kill; but buffered by acceptance and forgiveness, they can bring out the best in us and those around us.
Max Lucado Products Books, Music, Videos up to 30% Off!
http://freedomonline.spreadtheword.com/
store/SearchAllSimpleNEW/asp
/strSearch/Max%20Lucado
Earn Income! Fund Ministry! Answer God's Calling!
efficient cleaning crew Northbrook ..The Kundalini is a pool of energy that lies dormant... Read More
Let Your Family and Friends Know That You Are A... Read More
Just for a moment think of what is stopping you... Read More
If we don't behave according to a specific church's doctrine,... Read More
His name sounds as Finn. He has beautiful blue eyes... Read More
The practice of meditating on loving-kindness may be over two... Read More
Human beings are blessed with a unique gift: the gift... Read More
Are you at a crossroad in your life where you... Read More
1. The name Michael means, "Who is like God". In... Read More
Do you ever get into those moods where you just... Read More
I find myself floating on a cloud as heavenly music... Read More
One of the first issues people on the spiritual path... Read More
How many of us rush blindly through our days, fall... Read More
Mormons like to give testimonies. Unlike Mormon testimonies, I will... Read More
The formula for spiritual growth is given briefly in 2... Read More
As a Coach and Psychotherapist I have found that the... Read More
When we feel that something has gone wrong and are... Read More
Spiritual healing of the sick in Christ has many Christians... Read More
I believe in the source we refer to as 'God'.... Read More
Existence of God: facts and figures Does God exist?If you... Read More
For the past several years I have struggled with getting... Read More
God rides a Harley, God drives truck, God is a... Read More
In a recent article entitled "Our Virtual Reality Reality" I... Read More
We often forget that we are human beings first, and... Read More
It's human nature to point a finger when we think... Read More
cleaning lady near Wilmette ..We, the human species, stand on the threshold of a... Read More
When the Bible makes reference to a "yoke" it is... Read More
Imagine the Bible is a sharp and deadly double-edged sword,... Read More
Be still, and know that I am God; I will... Read More
The essence of the Christian faith is the good news... Read More
I am sure many of you reading this article have... Read More
In the early 90's I had a spontaneous Kundalini Awakening... Read More
I still remember the scene vividly. I was getting out... Read More
Anyone who has invested time, energy and effort into finding... Read More
While there are alot of warnings and admonishments regarding what... Read More
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me,... Read More
Heaven is a place of abundance and earth is a... Read More
One of the most touching stories in New Testament scripture... Read More
Did you ever know somebody who easily accumulates wealth? If... Read More
1. The name Uriel means "Light of God" or "Flame... Read More
Talking about your "soul" and the deeper things in life... Read More
It was my intention to explain the word "simple," and... Read More
No, I have never seen a fairy, an angel, nor... Read More
One of the first issues people on the spiritual path... Read More
Yesterday, a marketing guru asked me a question that left... Read More
It's an almost unbelievable thought, but could you be getting... Read More
Limiting beliefs, just like positive, empowering thoughts, provide a foundation... Read More
Years ago, my minister spoke to us about how you... Read More
"Self-Actualization" is the process of making our self "actual." Our... Read More
It's not always easy to stand in the midst of... Read More
Spirituality |