During our worship assembly on Sunday morning, we sang “The Greatest Command.” As you know, this great song is based on the words of 1 John 4:7-8, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
It’s a beautiful song. But man, it’s so much easier to sing the words sometimes, than it is to put the words into practice in my life. At times, some of our brothers and sisters are difficult to love.
You know, when they tell you how much they LOVED their previous preacher. When they ALWAYS tell you about the scripture you misquoted or the grammatical error you made. When they NEVER tell you, they appreciate the time and effort you put into the messages you deliver. When the ONLY time they speak to you, it’s something negative or critical about the church, or about you.
It can be difficult to love elders when they treat you like a hired hand rather than a partner in the work of the Lord. When you don’t feel that you are receiving the moral or financial support you deserve. It can be difficult to love co-workers when you feel as though you are carrying the bulk of the load and they are just coasting to get by.
It can be difficult to love family members and friends who turn their back on you and walk away during times when you need them most. When you wonder in your weaker moments if they are for you or against you.
How are we to respond in times like these when it is difficult to love others? It might help us to remember how God loved us when we disappointed Him. (Romans 5:8)
