I think one of the biggest challenges we face as Christians is to love. Yet God makes it clear we are to do just that. On the list of God's top priorities it ranks as number two.One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ “The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12: 28-31
Perhaps you don't think it's a challenge. You say, "I am nice to everyone." "I love everyone with the love of the Lord." Do me a favor, challenge yourself. Are you really loving your neighbor? Neighbor as in whomever you come across in your life. Not just the folks next door. Do you love the people you meet in a store, at work, at home, on a plane, at the repair shop, any and everywhere. Do you love all races? We aren't talking just warm smiles and excuse me please. Don't get me wrong I love manners. I am talking about more.
God the Father loved us so much that he stripped down his glory and came through the womb of a woman he made. This same love allowed the hands he designed to nail him to a cross. The cross that was made from a tree he spoke into existence. Now that's love. So when most of us make the hippy declaration of " I love everyone" we probably don't even know we just lied.
Love always, always comes at a cost. It cost us our time and resources. It cost us our "rights" for what's right. It can cost you silencing your opinion for peace and so much more. If your love to others has never cost your a thing it's superficial at best. When we really love the way God desires it cost. So put your love to the test, and see if you really love your neighbor.
Love like the Father loves you.
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I think the biggest test of our truthfulness is to ask ourselves just how much we love our own extended family. Then realize if we cannot get along with and love our own family in the way Jesus asks us to, how can we expect to even begin to love anyone else?
Fortunately, He knows this and has given us His Spirit who helps us know His wisdom and discernment from the Bible. Thought-provoking post.
The word 'love' has been over-used and its meaning diluted. I agree with everything you've written in this post, sis. :)
Unfortunately some peple do love others as they do themselves -- the problem is how they look at themselves. If they feel they are unlovable, that's the way they'll feel about others. Not until we understand how much God loves us, and how great is our potential to love others through Him can we truly understand. God bless you for sharing this in love.
Amen.