loving others
by roxanne robbins
Posted under
God's love,
Jesus,
blame,
christian living,
conflict,
daily devotional,
decisions/choices,
difficult relationships,
faith,
love,
marriage,
relationships,
sin (14 comments)
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1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
God Himself has taught you to love one another (v.9).
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Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:14).
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How can you demonstrate that you care about others and not merely yourself? What has Jesus taught you about how to treat others in love?
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It was such a dilemma—whether or not to marry the man who had proposed to me—that I agonized over what to do for nearly a year. During that time, I read dozens of relationship books, sought advice from counselors and pastors, and listened to scores of married friends explain how they “just knew” when faced with the same decision.
Ultimately, my fiancé and I ended our engagement. Though calling off the wedding was the right step for us, I later felt deep remorse over things I had thought, said, and done during our relationship.
I was so consumed about my life and my future, I frequently resembled the self-centered people described in Proverbs 18:1-2: “Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.”
Have you ever been guilty, as I have, of hurting the very person(s) you care about the most? Have you, as I have on too many occasions, acted in contradiction to Ephesians 4:2, which states, “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”
Too many times when jealousy consumes, anger invades, or fear prevails, I resort to thinking only of myself. I become the antithesis of the loving and gentle Christian woman I am called to be and long to be (1 Thessalonians 4:9).
As you and I increasingly look to Jesus, turn to His Word, and rely on His Holy Spirit, we will inflict less unnecessary pain on others. He modeled how to “act with love and justice” (Hosea 12:6) by giving up His life for us (John 3:16; 1 John 3:16). Let’s follow Jesus’ example and love Him and others well (1 Thessalonians 4:10).
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Yes…we are commanded to love others, but sometimes it is sooooo hard to do towards the people that hurt us. I will make a conscious effort to do this today.
how true a statement! a long battle with booze nearly distroyed my life – talk about hurting others!
finally finding god has changed my life forever and has made me the most loving person one can be.
Jesus does save us!
Sometimes in loving others we must get hurt. bearing their burden hurts us as well an as human beings we do not like pain or a situation that takes us out our comfort zone. that is what Christ did, in loving us he had to be hurt and was hurt.
(John 13:34-35) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Have a blessed day!
Yeah, I have some times had a hard hard time loving others. Sometimes, I have a hard time loving myself! I pray that God would give me grace to care for others and obey him.
I agree bethanyF, because of past experiences, I had never learned how to love myself. It wasn’t until last December when I decided that it was time for a change. Since then God has changed my life through things I’ve never would’ve seen coming my way. And because of that, I’ve also learned how to love others and myself even better.
I really need Gods grace in this area. My flesh flares up each time although in my mind I want to obey God. Its like Paul said, when i want to do good i dont do it but i do the very thing that i dont want to do. I agree with my mind that Gods law is good but there is another law at work in my members warring against the law in my mind. Loving others really isnt easy to do but I have to trust that God will work it all out in the end.
Loving others is easy when the person is loveable. God’s Love “Agape” love kicks in when the person is not so loveable. What is difficult or even impossible for us is made possible as we step away from our emotions or feelings which are so fickle and unreliable in favor of allowing God’s Agape Love to overshadow us and flow through us as vessels. We shouldn’t have to “try” to love others because that is of us and subject to our human weakness. Just be that channel of God’s Agape love by getting out of His way (our emotions) and allow ourselves to be used by God to show His love; not ours. We are not commanded to “like” everybody but we ARE commanded to Love them in Christ through His Agape love.
A tongue is a two headed sword but we as a people need to think before we speak
I ask God everyday to help me in this area
Good you stop the engagement before you got marry I should have done the same thing follow your heart
God is the glory Amen
Thanks to each of you for your comments and
insights. If you’re like me, it’s hard to admit when
loving thoughts, words and actions don’t come
easily.
I thank God for His grace and forgiveness. I thank
Him, too, for calling and equipping us to
demonstrate deeper love for others (and
ourselves).
Thanks for sharing your heart with us Roxanne. We have to remind ourselves daily to be more “selfless.” No healthy relationship can flourish when one or both parties are “selfish.”
Jesus was our best example.
well said “007″ … thank you!
I understand this word, about wondering…
But God promises there is NOW no condemnation to those who are in Christ. Romans 8:1.
Sometimes, we have to realize, we have that gut instinct, because that is the Holy spirit speaking to us. So, I am sure you made the right decision.
God will guide you as you trust him….Proverbs 3:5
Marriage is like martyrdom. Until we are ready to die to single-hood, we are not ready to embrace marriage. Kudos for you to decide not to marry when you are not ready.
On the other hand, marriage requires faith. This faith is only possible in God’s strength. I learn this profound truth:
“In marriage, we give up our rights, and we take up our responsibilities.”
conrade
marriage is not a step like finishing high school andl then going to to college,
that’s why dating most of the time for not saying always is not healthy, emotionally ,phisically and spiritually we should start by praying for our (husband- wife) , as soon as we receive jesus and we should get involved in praying for this our parents brothers, pastors counselors,
believed God you will now when the time comes that she or he , is the one he wants for you.
do you now why? because God chossed for you