Love-In-Spite-Of by Liza

Love-In-Spite-Of If there is one thing God has shown me, it is this: under the sun, we carry the ability to love everything. Not because it is easy, not because it is deserved, but because His Spirit has etched it into our design.

We can love one another in spite of. In spite of irritating habits. In spite of personalities that clash. In spite of being remembered only when needed. This is the kind of love God has for us — a love-in-spite-of.

Jesus did not veil His command in mystery. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34) The wisdom of this verse is that the standard shifts from human effort to divine example. His love was sacrificial, unconditional, and outward — washing feet, forgiving before being asked, embracing those who would abandon Him.

To love only those who are easy to love is natural. To love those who wound, irritate, or oppose us is supernatural. This is the fruit of discipleship: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.

Hate, anger, bitterness, resentment — these are taught. Yes, you may feel them, but you can also sit with them, examine them, and ask: How is this working out for me? Grace cannot be fathomed if we refuse to walk in the hand of His grace in our own lives.

The visible testimony of discipleship is not in words but in fruit. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) Love becomes the proof, the measure, the mirror.

To walk in Christ’s blueprint is to embody love-in-spite-of. It is to choose daily to let His Spirit bear fruit in us, so that the world sees not our effort, but His grace alive.