Living Letters of Love

Fyodor Dostoyevsky, in his book, The Brothers Karamazov, tells about a doctor who said, “I love humanity, but at I wonder at myself. The more I love humanity in general, the less I love man in particular. In my dreams, I often make plans for the service of humanity, and perhaps I might actually face crucifixion if it were suddenly necessary. Yet I am incapable of living in the same room with anyone for two days together…I become hostile to people the moment they come close to me. But it has always happened that the more I hate men individually the more I love humanity.” Thank God that Jesus did not and does not become hostile “the moment they come close to” Him!

We serve a God who “is not far from each one of us.” (Acts 17:27) On the cross, Jesus showed his love for humanity in general and for an individual man in particular. To those who were watching His agonizing death with pleasure He said, '”Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) To the penitent criminal who was hanging on the cross next to him (and who had asked Jesus to “remember me”), He said, “Today you shall be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) He loved both the crowd and the convict. Jesus not only taught compassion for humanity in general, He also taught compassion for people as individuals. He doesn’t just love us. He loves me! Amazing!

More than anyone else “God in the flesh” practiced what He preached. He left His lofty throne in heaven to be born in a lowly manger. He confirmed that principles to live by should not be confined to the head and the heart. They should be set free with a gentle hand and a caring touch. He did not inspire principles so that they could lay dormant in a book. He has written them on our hearts so we could be a living letter of love to a lost world.

Ronaldo Ricardo Guzmán