Some people are hard to love
On two different occasions this week, God has illuminated the following verse to me in Matthew…
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
(Matthew 5:46)
It seems to me that Jesus is trying to make a clear point to me about going beyond loving people, even those that are seemingly hard to love. Overall, I would consider myself a pretty loving person. One fault that I would say that I have (if it can be defined as a fault), is that I trust and believe in people pretty easily. Often times, this trust and belief turns on me and ends up disappointing me when I get let down when such trust in others is broken.
Even though I tend to be loving, trusting and believing in people, I have to admit, there are some people that just rub me wrong. Don’t act so shocked, you know exactly what I am talking about… you too have people who you try to ignore or avoid, or worse, criticize! We might find these kinds of people at our work, or in our families or even at our church, but when we gravitate towards the ones we enjoy being around most, our attitude towards the ones we are neglecting can cause a stumbling block with our walk with God.
I don’t know who may come to your mind as you read this, but perhaps it is a co-worker or a sibling or the usher greeting you at church that is so hard for you to love and accept as they are. The truth is, we are not going to gel with every person we meet, we will not see eye to eye at all times, even with those who share the same faith as us. Apparently Jesus saw this firsthand, I’m sure at times Jesus had to intervene and settle disputes among His chosen twelve, thus leading Him to provide us a pattern of what to do in times of conflict…
1. Work things out in private. (Matthew 18:15)
2. If still unresolved, take a couple spiritually wise people with you to address it. (Matthew 18:16)
3. If neither of these attempts work, then, and only then, take it before the church. (Matthew 18:17)
Too many times in dealing with disagreements, we focus on the “he said, she said” argument. Instead of trying to prove someone wrong (or right), it would be beneficial to us if we learned how to settle our mishaps in love. The Apostle Paul had a disagreement with his mentor Barnabas that they could not resolve and rather than continue in disharmony they departed. Sometimes, one of the best ways to show someone you love them is to agree to disagree and let it go.
As Christ followers, we are to love one another… with no excuses. Next time you think you can’t extend love and forgiveness to someone, remember what God did for you when you were unlovable, He loved and forgave you anyway… no excuses!
PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to see people as You see them. Help me to love people as You love them. Help me to forgive people as You forgive them. With Your help, I choose to love, even the hard people in my life… and let go! AMEN.
