A Gift

Does "practice makes perfect" apply to love?

I used to think that I could “improve” how I love, looking for ways to make myself “more loving,” as though it were simply a matter of exercise and eating more vegetables.

But when it comes to God's pure love, how can we possibly improve or increase what is already perfect and eternal?

Charity is a Gift

Love is a gift of the Spirit. 

We are told to seek the gifts of the Spirit “earnestly,” and specifically to seek charity “with all the energy of heart” (Moro. 7:48).  

​A "gift" by definition cannot be earned, otherwise it would be called a wage.  

We cannot manipulate charity any more than we can our liver or pancreas.  

Jesus reminded us that we cannot make one hair of our heads black or white (Matt. 5:36), but in a day characterized by perfectionism and self-help (and hair dye), it feels strange to be completely dependent upon God for this gift.

Charity is Christ's Love, Not Mine

Can we see the difference between “I am going to love others with Christ-like love” and “I am going to love others with Christ’s love”? 

One is an approximation, or imitation (no matter how sincere)—the other is the genuine article. 

For example, I could dress up as a police officer and appear “police-like”, but I would not be able to arrest you because I do not have the authority. 

In fact, it is a crime to impersonate a police officer, and it is a sin when

          men preach
          and set themselves up
          for a light
          unto the world,

          That they may get
          gain and praise
          of the world.

(2 Nephi 26:29)

Which is essentially wanting credit for being Christ-like, and evidence of how unlike Him we are. 

So we do not want to “dress-up” like Christ—we want to take upon us His nature, and to be filled with His actual love. 

​Who doesn't like unwrapping gifts?