Challenging Love

“Challenging Love”

By Zach Wood

Romans 12:9-10 NLT

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.  Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

While I was at work today, a convicting thought came to mind.  I thought about the different people we come into contact with each day.  First, there are those we get along with really well and enjoy being around and talking to.  Second, there are those we may know and have some casual conversation or small talk when we pass by them.  Third, there are those people whom we don’t really get along with for one reason or another and try to avoid.

The more I thought about this, I was convicted mostly by the idea of those whom I try to avoid perhaps because I don’t get along with them or things just feel awkward anytime I try to talk to them.  We have all done it.  We see someone we’d rather not talk to and we think quickly how we can “look” distracted to avoid talking to them.  Or perhaps we try to find another way to walk so that we don’t have to pass by them.  We all have to admit there are those people in our lives that we just don’t want to communicate or come into contact with.

As much as it pains me to think about talking to some people that I just cannot get along with, Christ has commanded that I do my best to show love to everyone.  He does not give me the permission to avoid others just because they are tough to love.  And…you know what?  I’m tough for some people to love as well!  Ever think about that?  When you find yourself thinking about how hard it is to love some people, remember that others probably find it hard to love you as well. 

This passage is vital to our daily walk with Christ.  Don’t just pretend to love others.  Really show genuine to them.  No matter how difficult it might be, hold tightly to doing what is right and what is good.  Put others before yourself.  Yes, it’s hard, but Christ never called us to what is easy.  Loving others is hard.  Just think about what Christ went through and He never stopped loving. 

I hope and pray that we all will be convicted of this no matter where we are or who we’re around.  God has called us to be real and genuine with everyone.  As hard as that may be sometimes, we need to strive to do our best to love others the best we can.  Don’t try to avoid people.  Instead, do the best you can to show love to them in any way possible.  That’s what Christ would do.