In the above scripture Jesus tells us we are to first love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind, and soul. He tells us that secondly we are to love one another the way he loves us. He also informs us that people recognize us as his disciples by the love we have toward one another. God and our love for Him should always come first. With that said I want to elaborate on the second of the greatest commandments. Imagine how peaceful the world would be and the love that would surround us, if every Christian demonstrated toward their fellow man the kind of love that our Heavenly Father gives us. We would reach a new level of peace in the world, if we all obeyed these two commandments. They are the greatest because if we keep them, it isn't likely that we will break any other commandment. For example, you can't love the Lord with all of your heart mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself, and as God loves you, and then steal from him.
The concept of being nice, and loving one another seems so simple, yet it is far from it. There are several things that can make it difficult to love someone. They may be stubborn, rude, bitter, difficult, sarcastic, or simply not nice. They may disagree with you on every topic imaginable, and they may be the type that can't agree to disagree, but instead love to bait you into a full blown argument. Don't take the bait. These people are just looking for an argument, and your presence is convenient. With that said, we must love them.
I find it easier to show love to people who are difficult, when I pause to consider that they are not behaving this way because it makes them happy. Quite the contrary. More than likely, something is troubling them to such a degree they have grown sour and bitter toward life, and they have chosen to deal with it by mistreating those around them. They may be suppressing hurt and pain caused by an experience in their past that they haven't dealt with. Although these type people make it extremely difficult to love them, the truth is they need our love most of all. We need to pray for them, and help them in any way we can. We need to listen to them, if they desire to talk to us. We need to encourage them to go to God for assistance with what ever is troubling them, put it in His hands, and move forward with the joy filled life God desires them to have. If you are around someone like this on a regular basis, remember it may take time. Pray for them, God may change their heart in an instant. If that isn't the case, then be patient God's timing is perfect. Take baby steps, and continue to pray for them. Your love, patience, and kindness may help them break down the wall they have built around their heart.
As I mentioned above I am well aware that it is not easy to love a person who behaves in an ill manner towards us, but it is the Christian thing to do. It is easy to love someone who is kind and loving toward us, anyone can do that. It is virtually automatic. The true test of a Christian is being able to love those who are difficult to love secondary to their words and actions. It is easy to love someone who agrees with everything we say, those who think like we do, and share our likes and dislikes. There is no challenge in that. What separates disciples of Christ from others is the ability to love people who are behaving in a manner that is not lovable.
I want to encourage you today to remember to love others the way Christ loves you. Be loving, patient, kind, and understanding toward those who are difficult. In so doing, you may make a major difference in that persons life, you are setting a good Christian example, you are showing yourself to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, and most importantly you are behaving in a manner that is pleasing to your Lord and Savior.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
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