We are called to love one another. So why don't we do it?

[stovebolts]

Jesus said the two laws that all other laws stem from are to love God with all your heart, all your might, and all your soul and intellect, and the second love your neighbor as yourself. (Mathew 22:36-40). Then later on in an explaination of the Kingdom of Heaven Jesus describes separating people like a Shepard seperates sheep from goats. Those that were accepted into the Kingdem of are described in Mathew 25:34-40 (NIV).

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Once more Jesus spoke on love, this time in direction to loving Jesus. Jesus said if you love me obey my commands. (John 14:15).

And once more Jesus says to love your neighbor, even so much to love your enemy. Luke 6:27-31.

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

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With all this in mind we can not say we are not called to love one another. That is not my question. My question is why don't we do it? We should all know from our own lives when this has been difficult, or when we have failed to show love. For me, my latest example was last night at not an enemy, but a fellow Christian whom I was losing patience with in a discussion. Fed up I replied rudely to what I thought was his pride filled rudeness at me.

I have to ask. Why? We are called to love, so why is it hard? Why do we not do it, or worse encourage it to not be done in our actions or in others. Should I encourage another person who with wit and savagery tore down another person I had an issue with? But this is done so often. In the world and even among Christians.

Why is it difficult? More so if you can, do you know any ways to make it easier or to strengthen our resolve to love in the situtions we face when love is hard to give?

I can only speak for myself, but 1 Corinthians 15 love only comes with maturity and a firm understanding of who you are in Christ.
Once your identity in Christ matures, it's easier to love because you understand its power, but more so it's freedom.
With that freedom, you can begin to see that others are at different stages along the pathway, but they have the same freedom to wander off the path as you yourself do...
Most people are good willed people, and once you recognize that, it's easier to show them grace, just as our Father in heaven has showed us grace through His patience.

 

[Tony Hyman]

Envy seems be the big killer .I know deep down how I used to want something that someone else had . Some call it ambition. Always wanting to come out tops.Seems the disciples also had this problem "An argument broke out among the disciples as to which one of them should be thought of as the greatest.Jesus said to them. "The kings of the pagans have power over their people, and the rulers claim the title 'Friends of the People'But this is not the way it is with you.;...the leader must be like a servant...I am among you as one who serves."(Good News Bible Lk 22:24-27)Notice that according to Luke , Christ says "must" .In other words its a command at nothing short of our very best to control envy or jealousy will do, for the disciple of Christ. which is every follower of Christ.

The other is"forgiveness" where since Sunday School we said ,and continue to pray,whether or not we mean it or try our best, the Good Lord only knows "Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs that others have done to us."(Op.Cite Mt 6:12)Here also there seems to be no choice in the matter.I we could really work on these to aspects (easier said of course) we could experience heaven or God's Kingdom on Earth in love as God "wills" it Mt 6:10.
I have been working on these bad traits which I know I have, I can tell you that I seem to find more peace and contentment within myself as I try to obediently follow Christ as the Spirit guides "the Holy Spirit ...will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you Peace I leave with you;my peace I give you.I do not give to you as the world gives..."(New International Version Jn 14:25-27)It just works that way.