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Perfect Love


          In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
    in the assembly I will sing your praises.”
 And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”
And again he says,
“Here am I, and the children God has given me.” (Hebrews 2:10-13)

          If you loved someone, what actions would demonstrate that love beyond any others? Go beyond love languages – baking cookies, being with, holding, affirming, or helping with housework. What would show unconditional love? 
          What do you think of the following as an answer?
1.       Actively (Passionately) seeking what is objectively in the best interest of the beloved.
2.       Granting the beloved the freedom to make real decisions even if those decisions are harmful and even if those decisions make a relationship with the beloved impossible.
3.       Forgiving wrongs committed by the beloved.
4.       Paying the price or taking on the penalty for the loved one – for crimes committed either against the lover or against others so that the relationship with the beloved can be restored – up to and including the price of a life, if that is the only way to restore the relationship. 
          By doing these things, Jesus showed His love; He proved His love to be perfect. Had He refused to do these things, or if He had not been able to do those things, His love would have been flawed. He did them and proved both His own perfection and the perfection of His love.

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