7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
The Greek language that the New Testament was written in is such a joy to read. It can say things in such a wonderful way that is so descriptive that it takes my breath away. This verse has a very simple phrase in English that is so full in Greek that I just have to point it out. The phrase “in your love for us” looks in Greek like “the out-of-you-into-us love”. Paul is describing a particular kind of love. This love is the love that Paul saw that started in them and ended as it reached him. This was love in action. This was a very personal love that Paul felt and experienced. This was not an academic exercise for Paul. This was something he lived. There was something tangible, touchable, almost tactile, about this love. This was Jesus with skin on. This particular kind of love seems to be fairly rare, even among those who claim to be Jesus-followers. The out-of-you-into-us love makes the journey of life much more palatable. When we experience the love that flows from one person to us it can change our lives. We know this in part when we “fall in love” with someone and we get married. It changes our lives. And this is only a shadow of the depth of love that is out there to be experienced. When we love someone else this way, the way of giving of self, “the out-of-you-into-us love”, it will change us as well. Don’t wait for someone to love you this way. Jesus loved you this way. Take the opportunity to begin loving someone else this way. The movie Fireproof was a good visual of this kind of love. When the husband continued the out-of-you-into-us love toward his wife, she eventually changed. But he wanted to give up half way through because he felt it wasn’t working. This kind of love toward someone else is hard work sometimes. And there is no guarantee that they will reciprocate. But the journey of love can be a joy. Why don’t you give the out-of-you-into-us love a chance in your life! It will be worth the loving.
The Arnold Journey 