Kinda crazy title for a blog post on love, am I right? Well, sometimes we are just curious. Like, if we know we are going to have to love some tough, annoying, insensitive people, we’d like to think we weren’t just throwing ourselves in front of a bus to be run over. So what’s the point to love?
Well, as always, we have to divide ourselves up into two categories.
 
Jesus Followers:

1. No excuses. If we believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again, then we have NO EXC– USES for not loving others. Jesus loved us at our absolute worst, Romans 5:8 explains. And so we demonstrate that love to others.  
2. People know. Jesus said in Matthew 13:34-35 that people would know you belong to Him because of your unconditional love. Jesus was known for His scandalous love and so we should be known for His scandalous love as well. And when we don’t love, we feel miserable because we know we are called to be more.
3. Be exceptional. We get to be exceptional. It’s true. Because Christ’s life is in us, we get to “live exceedingly, abundant lives” according to Ephesians 3:20. The amazing thing is that we don’t have the power to love and be exceptional on our own. The Holy Spirit, Who lives in us and rose Jesus from the dead, loves through us. We get to experience something supernatural as we allow Him to do His work in us and through us.

 
Not Jesus Followers:

1. It’s healthy. Psychologists and doctors would agree and argue that when we enter into meaningful relationships, we live healthier, more content lives.
2. Feel better. You will feel better about yourself. You will feel happier. When you rise above the pettiness and annoyances and choose to care for people no matter what, you feel satisfied…a sort of weird peace. It’s almost as if you realize how strong and capable you are! And you don’t waste energy getting sucked into ridiculous drama.
3. Live purposefully. You will feel like you have purpose. As you love people, especially people who can’t love you back, you will feel on mission. Like your life has meaning. You will be a part of something bigger than yourself and will make an imprint on society.

 
So I mean, why wouldn’t we love others? And if at times you are overwhelmed as to where to start, remember to just ask the question: What does love demand in this particular situation? The answer to that question will be the starting point for an adventurous, fulfilled life!