Problem with Love - Unlovable People

Love one another.

Seems so simple.

"All you need is love," the Beatles sang.

Love is such an easy thing when it comes to my children, wife, my friends...well...most of them, most of the time ; )

But the problem I have with love is the unloveable people.

• You know the people who are just so annoying.
• The people who gets on your nerves. 
• The people who back-stab you.
• The people who mistreat you, dishonor you, discourage you.

If it weren't for such people, loving others would be so easy.

So how is it that we can move from the idea of love to actually being a people of love?

First, this cannot happen on our own will power and efforts alone. This kind of radical love only happens as we become the recipients of a greater love and grace. That's why, of all people, Christians ought to be leading the way when it comes to the loving people department.

Second, this kind of love only happens through incredibly hard work and effort on our part. As I speak with people about this, it's as if people think that as they read their Bibles, pray, and worship, that somehow the Holy Spirit will zap them and all of a sudden - where as they used to be unloving people, but because they have been zapped by the Holy Spirit - that they are now going to be loving people.

It doesn't work that way. Becoming more like Christ is a never ending, on-going, "yes" to the leadings and promptings of the Holy Spirit, and a never ending, on-going, "no" to the flesh.  This is work! And it's hard. But that's how we become more like Christ.

So, Christians, let's get to work. We've got to get busy on becoming more like Christ.

Begin with this - think of the person who's caused you the greatest pain. Can you see him/her? Now, pray for them. Right now. Pray for them. And ask Jesus to give you the strength to forgive them and love them.

Do it now. If you're reading this, this is the whispering and leading of the Holy Spirit. Don't wait. Do it now.

Let's get to work.