Loving others can often seem challenging or downright impossible some days. From attitudes, lifestyles, or blatant bad choices, loving others can be incredibly difficult.
Jesus Loved Others
But when I read about Jesus’ life, I am reminded that He kept it simple. However, simple doesn’t always mean easy, but He is such a perfect example.
Think of how He lived. Jesus lived in service to others. Our service often shows our love. Jesus loved us to the point of giving His life for us, even while we were still sinners.
This is the simple part; Jesus loved us even though we didn’t have it all together. He didn’t die just for the people that cleaned up their act or lived right. He died for sinners, while they were still sinners. He didn’t shout at the men that hung Him on the cross. He didn’t name and number their transgressions. Instead, He asked His Father to forgive them.
Loving Others Is Rarely Easy
Loving others is simple, but not always easy. As followers of Christ, we are called to love others. We see this command in the scripture several times over. Love others. But what if they… what about… but remember when…
Except, that isn’t the language of Jesus. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34 NLT)
Jesus’ grace and mercy covers you, even when you do not know what you are doing. Even when you sin. He is beckoning you to love others sacrificially and without recording their wrongs for His review. He didn’t even record their wrongs for His own review.
Today, I challenge you to serve someone you wouldn’t normally. Serve someone difficult in your life. Choose an act of kindness, an act of love, an act of worship, and bless someone that is difficult. Ask Jesus to guide you to the person and to the service, and honor Him in this simple, but not always easy, way.
“But God showed us his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8 NLT)
