Loving Them

Is it possible to love everyone?

Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. - 1 John 4:20-21

John tells us that we cannot love God if we don't love one another, and I believe that is true.

I believe God looks at how we treat one another and that tells Him how much we love Him.

But who are our brothers and sisters?

That is a lot like the question Jesus was asked, "Who is my neighbor?"  The answer was given in the form of a parable, and we learned a Samaritan could be a neighbor.

So, all are brothers and sisters, and that may be difficult to accept.

There may be plenty of people we don't like.  If we don't like them, can we still love them?

Love is not passive. It requires action, so it can be difficult to act lovingly toward someone you don't like.  I know I find it hard at times to act in a loving manner toward people who drive me crazy.

And then I feel guilty if I say or do something harsh or mean. 

I wonder sometimes if God is watching.  Does He keep score?  And if He does, how quick is He to forgive?

It could be those regrets and tiny pangs of guilt are God's way of nudging us.

You could have been kinder there.  You slipped up.  Maybe you should go back and apologize.

I think God knows it is hard to love everyone the way He does, and He surely knows it hurts when you do and that love is not returned.

So, I guess this is our proving ground.  What we do here translates into what we do in God's kingdom.

If we can make it here, we can make it anywhere.

More to come...