Love Is Not Demanding

 Many of us struggle to recognize the difference between asking and demanding. Demanding people believe they are entitled to what they deem to be their rights.  They often require more from another person than that person wants to give. Demanding people might use manipulation and threats to get what they want. On the other hand, a person making a respectful request recognizes that granting the request is left to the discretion of the person being asked.  

 Demanding people are primarily concerned with their own needs. As children of God, we are told to also be concerned about the needs of others. That is why the Bible tells us to love one another as we love ourselves. Love requires that we give people freedom to be who they are without any imposed demands on them to meet our needs or to do things our way. If we love someone, we will allow them to make their own choices. That is what God does for us.  He did not make us robots who are required to do what He demands.  He gives us free will to choose to love Him and follow His ways.

We pray that the Lord will make your love grow. We pray that he will give you more and more love for each other and for all people. We pray that you will love everyone in the same way we love you. (1 Thessalonians 3:12 ERV) 

Jesus demanded nothing from us when He came into the world to save us from our sins.  To be selfless like Jesus we need to remember that love is not demanding but selfless in all its ways.  Selflessness is an attribute that respects others’ boundaries and does not impose its expectations and desires on another.  Love is never demanding!

 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love makes up for many of your faults. (1 Peter 4:8 TLB)

 

Prayer: Gracious Father, Please help me to be non-demanding in all my ways and to love and respect the boundaries and choices of others.  Thank You for the love You lavish on me as You give me the will to choose to love You.  Help me to be more like you. Amen

 

 

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