Loving a Person
A good word, for a good day.
1 John 4:20, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
I’ve been wrestling with this verse for a few years now. Anyone struggle with loving people? I do. The-struggle-is-real. Some people will forever just rub the wrong way. If some heinous crime or offense is committed, hate is easily justified. When you have church trauma, it’s easy for Christians to get away with saying “I hate them for…” It’s too easy to allow our hearts to be hardened towards people who don’t agree with our political or social convictions. Hard hearts too easily can evolve into hatred, at least that’s what I’ve experienced in my own heart. And if I’m being honest, often I find that I’m quicker to hate or hold offenses against my own fellow Christians. Like I’m better than them, or something. Isn’t that ugly?
In my early 20’s I straight up hated this person/church organization because we didn’t agree on some interpretation of scripture! I, of course, thought I was right and they were wrong - haha! How foolish I was. How foolish I still can be. Isn’t that exactly what the Enemy wants? He wants us to hate each other. He wants me to think I know better or that I am better than my sisters and brothers in Christ. He will do anything to separate and divide God’s Church. I want to learn to quickly pivot from casting judgement on others, to extending mercy. We are called to give mercy: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” Luke 6:36.
This morning I can’t get this song out of my head:
Loving a person just the way they are, it's no small thing
It takes some time to see things through
Sometimes things change, sometimes we're waiting
We need grace either way
Hold on to me
I'll hold on to you
Let's find out the beauty of seeing things through
There's a lot of pain in reaching out and trying
It's a vulnerable place to be
Love and pride can't occupy the same spaces baby
Only one makes you free
Hold on to me
I'll hold on to you
Let's find out the beauty of seeing things through
If we go looking for offense
We're going to find it
If we go looking for real love
We're going to find it
“Love A Person” by Sara Groves
The questions I’m asking myself today are: Do I really love God? And do I love God’s people? I struggle guys. And I’m sure you do, too. THANK YOU, Father, for the grace to wrestle with these hard questions and the grace of a new day to learn more about just how much you love me and your people.
Much love,
- Sarah