The subject of Love is prevalent throughout the Bible. We humans find this a difficult and complex concept. We struggle in understanding it and we struggle in living it out. The early church was no different. As Jim stated in his sermon last Sunday, very early in the history of the church, we began to be divided in understanding God and living out our faith. Paul was a missionary who planted churches and as such he needed to explain this new concept of Jesus, God incarnate. He wrote a letter to the church in Rome––A church he had not been able to visit. He knew they were struggling on whether to continue keeping the Old Testament’s many laws while other believers had stopped observing the laws because of the new covenant through Jesus. Paul assured everyone that the law could be summarized in, “love your neighbor as yourself.”
It sounds so simple, why then it is hard to live this out? Why do we find ways to separate from one another? Why is so hard to love our family members, our neighbors? And even other Christians? It is a simple command, but complex to live out. I’m sorry to tell you that I have not found the answer to such a conundrum, except to confess to God and in humility ask God for help. It may seem simple, “love your neighbor as yourself,” but it can only be done when we live under the power of the Holy Spirit.
So What Activity OR Discussion Questions: Today, take five minutes to reflect on one person who seems hard to love. Confess your struggles to God and just turn them over to him. Allow God’s peace to wash over you. Hint: you may have to do this again tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow….
Blessings,
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