Hi Everyone,
In the last week's sermon, the speaker called us to love others. The sermon last Sunday was on Why Christians Should Not Sin. In the bible, we are called to love our neighbours as ourselves and love our enemies. Easier said than done in real life. Certain people are very difficult to like.
Even so, we should show love to them as well just as Jesus showed His love to us through his death and resurrection. Jesus came as a saviour for sinners, which for us when he died and rose again from his death. Yet, people rejected Him but Jesus still loves them for they did not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34). 34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (BibleGateway.com, http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23:34&version=NIV)
In our everyday life, we may find it very hard to care or to be friends with certain people. However as Christians, we should really pray to God regarding this that we should love or care for others even though they are very difficult to be liked. We should treat and respect them for who they are even though they might did something that has hurt or insulted us.
Also, in the bible, we are called to be reconciled to someone whom we have hurt before giving offering in the altar. This is found in Matthew 5:22-23.
22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brotherwill be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. (BibleGateway.com,http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:22-24&version=NIV)
If we have hurt someone or someone has hurt us, we should not keep it in our heart. As Christians, we need to show forgiveness to the other party. We need to reconciled with the other party so that our burden can be lifted. Of course, it's easier said than done. Therefore we need to pray constantly to God so that we will be able to forgive just as God forgave our sins through Jesus Christ.
Loving others who are very difficult to like is a very hard thing to do. We need to have the open mindedness to love that person for it is what God commanded us to do. By doing so, we not only obeying God's command but it is an action which really stands out. We also need to always pray to God that we can forgive others and others can forgive us. We need to take action to be reconciled with the other party no matter what the response are. It is then up to God to show us His power of reconciliation and love. As long as we have done the right action, our burden are lifted. I believe that in the future, all the parties would be reconciled but it would take time.
As Christians, we are not perfect but with God's help and constant prayer, we would be able to love one another and will do our best not do hurt other people's feelings. We should also take the right steps to be reconciled with the other party if we did hurt his / her / their feelings.
Any comments on this? Please feel free to leave the comments or discuss it. Thank you.
Cheers,
Rogerkoo
Blog posts on 7th November 2009:
