1 John 4:20
But if we say we love God and don't love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don't love the people we can see?
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There are some Christian comedians who have made a joke about people who talk unkindly about others and then pepper their conversation with “Praise the Lord!” Sadly, we all know people like this. We know the person who “hates” this group or that… or “can’t stand” a person or two in the community or church… but these same people are the first to raise their hands and shout and sing about how awesome God is and how much they love Him. And maybe you are guilty of this yourself… I feel certain I have been at times.
I have to say, I am trying to watch what I say a little more closely these days… and more importantly, I’m trying to adjust my attitude, too. See, if you say the right things, but in your heart you still harbor the hatred or unloving attitudes, your words don’t mean a thing. And God’s children do not hate. God’s children do not feel unloving or unkind toward those who are “hard to love.” I agree… there are people who make it very difficult to be nice to them. But these same people are as much God’s children as you and I.
More importantly, if “hard to love” people are God’s children – just as you and I – when we mistreat them or speak unkindly about them, we insult their Father. In essence, if we love God, we must love His children… ALL of them!
Does this mean we have to tolerate rudeness, disrespect, and sinful behavior? No! We have the right – and obligation – to walk away… or to gently correct when the situation is right. But we can never judge or condemn… and we can never operate in anything but love.
Tall order? You bet! But we have to remember, nobody ever said being a Christian is easy. If we want to have God’s love, grace and mercy, we have to be ready to operate in those things toward others. And if we love God, whom we cannot see, we have to love those who are right in front of us. Search your heart. Ask God to show you who you have treated unkindly… and who needs your grace and mercy in His name. Show God how much you love Him by loving those who are in your path.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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