Stone Cold Love

                We all have that one (or more) person that we do not get along with. That person that we don't "like" just always happens to say all the wrong things to us that makes us rage with anger. Or maybe someone doesn't like you because of a certain standard that is not true. But no matter what there can be tension and hatred between anyone. When we are encountered by people like this we normally don't enjoy it or look forward to it in any way. And when we do see these people that we just "adore" it is not a friendly exchange. The burning rage that hatred starts in your heart with effect the way you see a certain person that just pushes your buttons. This makes it extremely hard to humble yourself before that person and even the Lord. Can you imagine what the world would be like if God got even and gave into the hatred that was towards him while he was on earth? Our world would be the total opposite. Our lives would be all about hatred, death, greed, and sin. And we would all follow the example of anger being okay from God. Fortunately God didn't give into hatred and that's why our world is the way that he had planned.  God was in charge of saving us and he did his job. Ezekiel 33:7-9 states "So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel.Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning for me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to tun from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delievered your soul." These verses show the importance of working together. Like I said, we might not like everyone we come in contact with, but we are to love them no matter what. Keep those verses in mind... if we hate someone and know that physical or mental danger is headed there way then we are to warn them despite our feelings. If we don't warn them then we are for one not doing our duties as the children of God. And second of all, we will be held responsible for the outcome of that troubled person. Your probably thinking... well how is the people i hate the most my problem, they treat me horrible? As hard as it is to love those who persecute you... it is what you are called to do. The ones that show us hatred may not know God which therefore closes theirs eyes to the gentle way of life that we can see. Don't become angry or frustrated because others don't understand things because they might not be on the same level as you and that's okay! It we all only loved the people that loved us then we would not have any progress. We would all live the same life with the same people because we are scared to resolve problems with people we don't like. Now I'm not telling you that you need to let people walk all over you but you need to see the good side of every "evil person". When it is hard to love people that show you no love just remind yourself that your doing this for God's glory not your own. The people that are the most lost are those people that hate us and who would be a better teacher besides the followers of Christ! When you come in contact with a personal conflict with others...talk it out and evaluate the situation. Sometimes the conflict is not the problem, the only problem is the way you view the situation. Out of all of this you wont lose you integrity for humbling yourself...you will gain strength. And I'm not talking about having huge arms. Your heart will become stronger and that's far more rewarding that having a muscular appearance that will fade away. This week I present you with the challenge to find that one person (or people) that you never ever see eye to eye to and evaluate the way your relationship is. No matter what the situation is think if the way you view the conflict is actually worse than the actual conflict it self. Remember that you are to love your neighbors and reach to those that need help even when they shoot it down. All that is, is a cry for help. Put your personal feelings aside and help others. It might seem that their sins are bigger than yours but that's just an illusion.





Word of the Day:  “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
                                                       ~Luke 6:27-28