Withholding Love
Good morning brethren, I like to write on a topic “Withholding love” Part one. 2 Corinthian 6:12 says “There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us.” Apostle Paul, in his heartfelt letter to the church at Corinth, expresses a deep truth that still resonates with us today. In verse 11, he begins, “Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you.” Then in verse 12, he gently points out, “There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us.” This raises a crucial question: Is it really possible to withhold love? Sadly, many believers unknowingly do just that. We may not call it “withholding love,” but whenever we close our hearts toward others — in offense, in silence, in distance — that is exactly what we are doing. Scripture teaches us not only the importance of love but the command to express it. Mark 12:30–31 says, “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbour as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” Notice, Jesus did not say to love only those who are easy to love. He simply said to love. That includes friends, strangers, and even our enemies.
The love of Christ has no limits, no conditions, and no exceptions. If we call ourselves believers, our lives should reflect this same love, because love can take us where hate never will. To withhold love is not just emotional detachment, it is a contradiction of who God is. 1 John 3:1 reminds us, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” We are recipients of extravagant love, a love that cost Jesus His life. How then can we claim to be His followers, yet withhold love from others? Let’s put it plainly: Withholding love is withholding Jesus. Our love must not be conditional on agreement or performance. Imagine a parent who withholds affection from their child every time the child disobeys. Is that how God treats us? Certainly not! Should we, then, treat others that way? True Christlike love welcomes even the undeserving, and speaks truth with grace. It’s possible to love those who differ from us without compromising our convictions. People should see Jesus in us, feel comfort in our presence, sense forgiveness in our heart, and receive love from our spirit. They should know they can be honest with us without fear of harsh judgment.
In conclusion, remember: Jesus never withheld love out of fear of being misunderstood. He ate with sinners and tax collectors (Mark 2:15–17), defended the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1–11), and touched and healed the unclean (Luke 17:11–19). He didn’t wait for people to change before showing them love. He loved them into transformation. Believers are not called to weigh mercy against appearances. Mercy is not about enabling sin rather it is about trusting God to handle judgment while we reflect His love. Let us therefore open our hearts again. Let us not withhold love, for in doing so, we withhold Christ from a world that desperately needs Him. Service is for 10.30am, workers meeting is for 10am. God’s blessings - Mike