Radical love

Someone recently apologized to me for the seeming "unfriendliness" of this group of believers (of many years) towards a new and special person in my life. I've been thinking about his apology until now, so I should purge it out because I know if I keep thinking about it, I can potentially become bitter and bear grudges in my heart like I used to when I was disheartened by why self-professed believers in typical churches were not interested or not pursuing Christ in their actions.

First, I will be "patient, bearing one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2), just as Jon, Christy, PC, Christina, Shangyang, and the ISF has beared with my previous religious arrogance. And I know God will change them throughout their time here just like he's changing me and he won't give up if we remain in him (John 15:5, Philippians 1:6). If I know he has changed me for so much good, I know he will do it for them too!

Second, I want to be an example of Jesus' radical love, just as the ISF has for me. God loves all of us already in our despicable and disgusting state before some of us started following Jesus. His love is pro-active and I want to be one of his tools through which people experience Jesus' love, so that they will in turn love others to greater extents. "This is what God does. He gives his best — the sun to warm and the rain to nourish — to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that." (Matthew 5:45-47)