- Skeleton Bones7:09
Anyone who does not love, does not know God, because God is Love.
1 John 4:8
But God shows His love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he has commanded us.
1 John 3:23
And He answered, you should love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. And love your neighbor as yourself.
Luke 10:27
A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
John 13:34
But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
Luke 6:27-28
Rather, speaking the truth in love we are to grow up in every way into Him who is head, Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 4:15
Love is patient, Love is kind, Love does not envy, Love does not boast. Love is not proud and Love is not rude. Love is not self seeking, Love does not get angry easy. Love does not keep a record of wrongs and Love does not delight in evil but it does rejoice in truth. Love protects, Love trust, Love hopes, perseveres and never fails. God is LOVE!
Love: that word that seems so easy to do sometimes and yet so hard other times. Part of being a Christian is loving others. Unfortunately, it's not the easiest thing to do at times. God commands us to love Him and love one another. These are His two greatest commandments. He showed us this love by sending His son to die for us. So why is love so difficult at times?
Probably the biggest reason love is so difficult is our own sinful nature gets in the way. It's very easy to love my wife, my kids and my family, specially when they share a common set of values and beliefs. However, it's very difficult to love those who do not share those same beliefs and values. Where this is most difficult is when those around you are filled with unrighteousness and you are trying to be filled with righteousness.
Sometimes loving the unlovable does not seem right. Often there are times when we are unlovable ourselves. Yet, this is what God commands us to do. Is it easy? No! Can it be hurtful? Yes! Does it take time? Yes! Does this mean that you have to friend everyone and hang out with the unlovable? No! Is it worth a shot? Yes!
So as Christians, we need to always remember who we were before we surrendered our lives to Christ. So what do we do with the most wicked of souls? Although we love them, we don't love them to the point of becoming them. The Bible say's, "bad company corrupts good character." Love does not mean that we over look what God has called us to obey. Love does not mean that we look the other way when confronted with sin. Love is not such a command that we now need to get rid of the Bible and it's further teachings. Love does not mean that you must become tolerant of everyone and everything. No where in scripture does it say "except everything." Love at times can be in the form of a rebuke or in a way that protects someone. Love can be standing up for what is right. God has given us the ability to discern the minds others. In that process there may come a time when loving someone may not seem loving to others. Ultimately Love does not save us, Jesus saves us and that is love. Love is the result of being saved.
So as Christians we are to loves others. While that is very difficult at times, it's very possible with the help of the Holy Spirit and through the process of sanctification. It is through this process that we become more like Christ!