How well do you love? Do you love deeply in your heart or is it superficial? Do you show your love or speak empty words? Do you recognize real love or are you only looking for love on the surface? Are you willing to love as Jesus has commanded?
We see a lot of hate in our society. It’s all over the news. We see television shows specifically designed to incite and show discord among those within it. We are inundated with examples of anger, selfishness, anxiety, upheaval, fear, unfaithfulness, and lack of self-control.
In other words, we see the opposite of what we are told is the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. What does this mean for us?
We are not to be like the world (Romans 12:2). We are to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). This is not easy. Especially when everything around us seems to be in chaos and confusion. It’s near impossible when we are not studying God’s Word, learning His ways.
As I was listening to the radio yesterday, the radio show host was interviewing Dave Stewart. If you don’t know who he is, he was a dominate relief pitcher and has worked in multiple management capacities within major league baseball. When asked his thoughts about how we can eliminate racial discrimination, his answer was perfect (in my humble opinion). He said we have to start with our kids by teaching them to accept all people and he said the Bible is the best place to learn how to do that. Awesome!
You see, when we love as Jesus taught, when we see each person as a child of God, when we see others as Jesus sees them, our attitudes change. Loving as Jesus did and teaching our children to do the same, we generate a positive change beyond our imagination.
Will this happen overnight? Unfortunately, no. Yet, it will never happen if we never start. We must start our effort of seeing others through Jesus’ eyes. We must start teaching our children that all people are children of God. We must start loving others, even if we don’t like their actions, even if we disagree with their opinions.
I pray we all decide to start loving all people. I pray we all study God’s Word to learn how to be positive, productive human beings. I pray we start the change today. I pray each on us will learn to love as Jesus loves. Love all people. Study God’s Word. Be a disciple of Jesus. Be the positive change.
John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Marty Pressey 