The Fundamental Re-Contextualization of Love 5

If Making love is the process of self-sacrificially giving for the benefit of another person in any and all relationships, we must ask the question of that which is beneficial. What is for the "good" of another? Up front, I must admit my biases. 1) I am a Christian. I am not interested in universal "goods" that all people in all situations will be able to grasp and apply. I am interested in a good that can only come from He who is Good embodied. 2) I am a male. I think that is enough said. 3) I am a United States citizen with post-Enlightenment philosophy and conservative Christian roots.

The Bible says that the strong should bear with the weak. It says that we should look not only to the good of our selves, but we should look to the good of others. It says that our attitude and mind should be the same as that of Jesus.

In light of these statements, we can reasonably assume that, for a Christian, the highest manner of showing good is manifested in Jesus. So, the question is how did Jesus work for the good of the people who did and did not follow him.

1) Doing good means meeting immediate needs. Food, water, healing, and the ability to work were all gifts that Jesus gave to people in the name of doing good.
2) Doing good means, at times, giving more than what was asked. Jesus constantly did more than give healing; he would often give embrace to those who were not considered worthy of embrace.
3) Doing good means creating a place of belonging. Jesus created a community of followers and embraced them in spite of and because of their failures.
4) Doing good means finding creative ways to serve. Feet washing is a classic example.
5) Doing good means forgiving sin. How can we do good to someone if all we see is a homosexual, an aborter, or a murderer? We must pray the prayer, "Father for give them because they do not know what they are doing." At times, we pray it when they do know what they are doing.
6) Doing good means calling to the process of repentance. Yes, there is a need to ask someone to turn from the current path. This MUST be done in truth and love. Without both love and truth, the gospel is rendered impotent.
7) Doing good means that, in all of this process, we must find the ability to walk within the context of those we seek to love. Jesus was God, and he became man. Surely, we can find the ability to be white and see the plight of the Invisible Children.
8) Doing good means sharing passion and experience. You cannot truly show love to someone until you are willing to walk, talk, and live with them.
9) Doing good means judging and being willing to take on another's judgment.
10) Doing good means making peace by taking the full weight of wrath and pain.
11) Doing good means serving, loving, and giving in the midst of pride, hate, indifference, and being taken advantage of.

In following the example of Christ, we can see what it means to make love and do good to our neighbors. Ultimately, the most beneficial thing one can do is show someone (by words or deeds) the One who is truly good.