Children of Light

Paul talked to the Ephesians about how they should live as children of light.  Paul said in Ephesians 5:1-2, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”  Paul wanted these people to imitate God and to love like God loved.  I think we need to take these words to heart and live the same way if we claim to be believers but we seem to have a real problem in this area.  Why do we have such a hard time loving each other if we are God’s children? 

We have no trouble judging people, looking for the bad instead of the good in people’s lives.  Is it because it is far easier to measure ourselves with people, rather than to measure ourselves with God?  There are some sins that we would avoid like the plague, but judging people seems to be tolerated far more than some of the other sins that we have committed.  

Take the different denominations for example; one group of people won’t fellowship with another group because they don’t agree with their doctrine.  Didn’t Jesus say the greatest commandment is this, found in Mark 12:30-31, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

This wasn’t the first time this was said, it was also said in Leviticus 19:18, the Lord speaking to Moses said this, “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”  Even in the Old Testament it was a commandment for the Lord’s people to love one another.

Then, at one point, Jesus said that we should even love our enemies.  The way I see it is that we have a struggle trying to love the people that love us, let alone trying to love our enemies.  I have experienced on more than one occasion, being told by different friends at the time that they loved me, but as time went on and I said something, or did something, that they didn‘t agree with, the relationship was over; maybe they call that love, I don’t.  When you love people, there will be times that you will have to agree to disagree instead of giving up on each other.  None of us have an excuse for this kind of behavior, so we are accountable for it.  I think that loving some people is a real struggle, even some that are in the church, but remember this; Jesus didn’t say it would always be easy, but He did command His people to do it.  

This is what Jesus said to His disciples when He spent the last supper with them, it is found in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  It also says this about love in 1 Peter 7:9, “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”  

Love is something that most people need and want.  I have heard it said that you will catch more flies with honey than you will with vinegar.  You will also win more people over with love and acceptance than hatred and rejection.  It says this in Proverbs 10:12, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.”

I think you got the message, enough said.  Can you truly say you love people, including your neighbor and your enemy, if you are a believer?  If not, you need to take it to the Lord, who already knows, and ask Him to help you love as He does.  That is His will for your life, so if you are sincere, I think He will help you.  Something to think about!  God bless and have a super day!!