Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: The New Commandment: Love One Another (07/23/26)
-
TITLE: Love Like Jesus: For Better or for Worse | Previous Challenge Entry
By Rhonda Barber
07/30/26 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Most of us have heard the words “for better or for worse.” They're spoken in wedding ceremonies as a promise to love regardless of what life brings. Sadly, many marriages end when the 'worse' arrives. Apparently, we have a hard time getting along with one another. And this doesn’t only apply to marriages. Families face broken relationships. We encounter difficulties at work, at school, even at church. Everywhere there are people, there is the potential to be at
odds with each other.
The Problem
We live in a culture that is quick to write off relationships. There are certainly times when healthy boundaries are necessary, especially where abuse is involved. Loving someone doesn't always mean unlimited access to your life. But somewhere along the way, we've begun labeling ordinary disappointments, disagreements, and difficult personalities as 'toxic,' and we've become remarkably quick to remove them from our lives. Many times, we act as if people need to deserve or earn our love. The “for better” part of relationships is easy. The “for worse”, not so much.
The Cure
The counter-culture cure is to love like Jesus. He is our example of radical love. He loves us at our best. When we are faithful, kind, obedient, and generous. He loves us through our worst. Times of rebellion, doubting, failures, and denials. We didn’t deserve or earn His love. Yet, He freely gave His life for us. And this is the kind of love He commands us to have for each other. Because we freely receive this love from Him, we ought to freely give love, just like Him.
Would Jesus Write You Off?
He knows our fears, frustrations, and faults. He sees our sins, shortcomings, and struggles. Yet He doesn’t withhold from us his peace, promises, or presence. He still loves us – for better or worse.
When it gets hard for us to love, we should just look at the cross. That’s what Jesus’ love for us cost Him. Do you think it was easy? The very people who crucified Him, He gave His life for. Romans tells us that He died for us when we were a hot mess. He asks us to love others as He has loved us. It isn’t easy. It is very difficult at times. It hurts sometimes – a lot. Yet, the command remains.
Love fully. Wholeheartedly. For better – or for worse.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.