Hosanna Restoration Church

Have you ever noticed that at least at times, the people that are hardest for you to love are other Christians? I am not just talking about people who are part of a different flavor than you are, but those in your own fellowship as well.

Have you ever caught yourself eyeing those near you and finding what you consider to be their weaknesses, flaws, and failures? Of course you have! The question is; why do we do that? Why is it that we get more irritated at those who God calls us to love extra than we do at those who may not even know God?

Of course you know the answer to this question because scripture tells us that we are not wrestling against people, we are wrestling against demonic powers in heavenly places. If the devil can keep us judging and picking and generally disgusted, then he can keep us from growing and walking in the favor of God.

Yes we are to reach out to others and reveal God’s goodness to the world around us, but God’s Word tells us that they will really know we are Christians by our love for one another. If we perceive an error in someone else’s walk with God, the first thing we should do is love them and pray for them and for ourselves to make sure we are not just being critical. God may reveal what it is that is troubling them. Even if God reveals nothing, we will still have done what we are told to do. Keep loving.

After all, again we are reminded that we will have a hard time convincing God whom we have not seen that we love Him, if we refuse to love those around us who we do see. Each fellowship is a part of the body of Christ. Each person within a fellowship is a part of that body and each part of that body is important. Love is what keeps a body healthy. Love will keep us healthy individually. Love will keep the fellowship healthy, and love will keep the whole body of Christ all over the world healthy.

No wonder we are reminded to love each other with true Christian love. By the way, leave the requirements of true Christian love up to God. Christian love will help us to fulfill the call to try and leave at peace with everyone. (Heb. 12:14) We are told that love covers a multitude of sins. I don’t think that this means only that we love others through their sins, but that it also gives God reason to cover and forgive our sins because we are faithful to love.

So whenever we catch ourselves wanting to criticize, let’s remember that it is not what God has called us to do, and let’s turn that temptation of the devil into a reminder that it is time to love. This will no doubt be one of those things that we will have to fight the good fight of faith to accomplish, but it will be worth the effort. By the way, I love you all with the love of the Lord. God bless you as you love.