As humans one of the hardest things to do is love other people. It may be easy to love someone who is like us or who is close to us, like a family member. It becomes much harder to love someone who is not like us or a person we disagree with or hate.
Jesus made many countercultural statements we should be treating other people.
Matthew 5:43-44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Matthew 22: 36-40
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
John 13:34-35
“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
As Christians we are called to be different, we should not act out of hate or revenge but love those around us. That includes everyone, even your enemies. This does not mean being a push over or doing whatever those who frustrate you want because you are “loving” them. If you can’t be around them, pray for them! Pray that God will change their heart and that you will be able to understand each other. Treat others they way you want to be treated. If you wouldn’t want what you are doing to someone done to you, don’t do it!
In theory this all sound easy and great but it is something that is really difficult to do. How can we do these things? By following the greatest commandment. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This will cause our heart to change to be more like Christ and therefore act more like Christ.
Let’s let the world know we are Christs disciples through loving one another!
-By Andrew, Program Coordinator
Succesful Team!