It is the political season, which means we will not always agree on who to vote for, the issues that are most important, or what to do about every social issue. We will disagree with others on what to do about immigration, accepting refugees, what our military should be doing, and where our money should be going. We will differ on taxes, spending, and how to get the economy bolstered and back into shape. We will not see eye to eye on the direction that certain political candidates want to move our country in. We will disagree over who has the most faith, the deepest personal connection to God, and if that even matters. We will like, post and tweet on the issues that matter most to us. Others will not like, agree or care for our opinions and positions. We can expect that someone will be surprised, offended, or begin to distance themselves from us, because of our stance politically.
As I begin my day, I have time to sit quietly, read Scripture (or not), check out the morning headlines, take time for prayer with the Father (or not) and get prepared to do my daily tasks and routines. I can love my neighbor as myself and be better at it from afar. I can genuinely want the best and seek the greatest good for others. I can also choose to not do this and hold a grudge (which is ultimately unforgiveness), when I am not treated well. I have no problem being at peace with all men, until one of them decides to not be at peace with me. In a moment of anger, I can easily slip into not caring at all for the one who has offended me. I can choose to remain hurt or upset, or recognize that the Master called us to love our enemies and do good to them. Then I must come into agreement with Him, forgive the other person for the offense, and go about seeking the greatest good for that person, even to the point of praying for them. Even if I never receive an apology, even if the issue does not get resolved. I can be at peace with them in my own heart, even if they do not wish to have the same. Why? How? Because of Christ’s Love for me.
You might think or say, “How can this be?” “How can you do that?” First of all, because the Father would want me to, He even says so in His Word. Secondly, I know how hard it can be to forgive someone, the longer that I choose not to. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” - Hebrews 12:14-16 (NLT) , if I am in disagreement with someone, if I have been hurt, become angry or upset with them or something that they may have done to me, I am to forgive them as quickly as possible, so that the “poisonous root of bitterness” will begin to grow inside of me. And forgiveness is an expected outcome of the Father’s Love growing inside of me.
There are many issues that can divides us as His Followers, but we can still choose to show love to one another. Not in a fake way, but a genuine love and desire for other’s ultimate good. If a friend, coworker, neighbor or anyone else does something to me, I can choose the way of Love. Even if their intended consequence is to harm me, or to prove that they are right and I am not, I can still choose the way of Love. Because the Father died for our sins, even the ones that spring up from disagreements, friction, ill will, or a rude action or word, I can still choose the pathway of Love. Jesus said, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins”- Matthew 6:14-15 NLT. He also taught the disciples to keep forgiving someone who continuously wronged them. So I must forgive, even when I don’t want to. I must pray for the party that injured me, even if I don’t feel like it. In this way, I can show love to others, and they can know that I am one of His.
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”- John 13:34-35 NLT
As I begin my day, I have time to sit quietly, read Scripture (or not), check out the morning headlines, take time for prayer with the Father (or not) and get prepared to do my daily tasks and routines. I can love my neighbor as myself and be better at it from afar. I can genuinely want the best and seek the greatest good for others. I can also choose to not do this and hold a grudge (which is ultimately unforgiveness), when I am not treated well. I have no problem being at peace with all men, until one of them decides to not be at peace with me. In a moment of anger, I can easily slip into not caring at all for the one who has offended me. I can choose to remain hurt or upset, or recognize that the Master called us to love our enemies and do good to them. Then I must come into agreement with Him, forgive the other person for the offense, and go about seeking the greatest good for that person, even to the point of praying for them. Even if I never receive an apology, even if the issue does not get resolved. I can be at peace with them in my own heart, even if they do not wish to have the same. Why? How? Because of Christ’s Love for me.
You might think or say, “How can this be?” “How can you do that?” First of all, because the Father would want me to, He even says so in His Word. Secondly, I know how hard it can be to forgive someone, the longer that I choose not to. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” - Hebrews 12:14-16 (NLT) , if I am in disagreement with someone, if I have been hurt, become angry or upset with them or something that they may have done to me, I am to forgive them as quickly as possible, so that the “poisonous root of bitterness” will begin to grow inside of me. And forgiveness is an expected outcome of the Father’s Love growing inside of me.
There are many issues that can divides us as His Followers, but we can still choose to show love to one another. Not in a fake way, but a genuine love and desire for other’s ultimate good. If a friend, coworker, neighbor or anyone else does something to me, I can choose the way of Love. Even if their intended consequence is to harm me, or to prove that they are right and I am not, I can still choose the way of Love. Because the Father died for our sins, even the ones that spring up from disagreements, friction, ill will, or a rude action or word, I can still choose the pathway of Love. Jesus said, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins”- Matthew 6:14-15 NLT. He also taught the disciples to keep forgiving someone who continuously wronged them. So I must forgive, even when I don’t want to. I must pray for the party that injured me, even if I don’t feel like it. In this way, I can show love to others, and they can know that I am one of His.
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”- John 13:34-35 NLT
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