We know from Scripture that God loves everyone. But I will confess, there have been people I've met that have had me thinking to myself, "God, you've got your work cut our for you with this one."
Yet, He loves them. And, what's more, He tells me to love them. All of them. Even the ones who aren't very lovable. Even the ones who don't speak or dress or drive or think or believe or vote the way I do. Even Cub fans.
To love people as God loves them we must see them as God sees them. He looks beyond their fault and sees their need. To love others as God loves them we must look at every person we encounter from our Heavenly Father's perspective. Often, what we see is very different from what God sees.
We see an antagonist who always has to be right. God sees a person who needs to find healing from being wronged.
We see a jokester who can never be serious. God sees a person who needs an outlet for the pain he or she is trying to hide.
We see a braggart who can't stop talking about his or her self. God sees a person who needs to know that he or she is deeply loved apart from what they've done or where they've been.
We see someone who is not only depressed but depressing. God sees a person who needs permission and a safe place to express his or her pent-up anger.
We see a wallflower who is always compliant and who never expresses an opinion. God sees a person who needs the boldness that comes from believing that he or she, as well as their opinions, matter.
We see an high-energy, over-achieving workaholic. God sees a person who needs to understand that true significance does not come from what we do.
We see a perfectionist. God sees a person who needs to love him or her self enough to allow for mistakes.
We see a deadbeat dad who walks away from his family responsibilities. God sees a person who needs to experience what a good Father is before he can become one.
We see a hopeless drug-addict. God sees a person who needs to believe that, for those who trust in Him, there is always hope.
We see a gang member who is filled with anger. God sees a person who needs intimacy and a sense of belonging.
We see a terrorist who is consumed by hate. God sees a person who needs to experience, at a soul level, the love of Jesus.
We see someone with zero sense of self-worth. God sees a person who needs to know that he or she is worth dying for.
We must love others as God does. We must look beyond their fault and see their need. After all, that's how our Heavenly Father loves us.
Yet, He loves them. And, what's more, He tells me to love them. All of them. Even the ones who aren't very lovable. Even the ones who don't speak or dress or drive or think or believe or vote the way I do. Even Cub fans.
To love people as God loves them we must see them as God sees them. He looks beyond their fault and sees their need. To love others as God loves them we must look at every person we encounter from our Heavenly Father's perspective. Often, what we see is very different from what God sees.
We see an antagonist who always has to be right. God sees a person who needs to find healing from being wronged.
We see a jokester who can never be serious. God sees a person who needs an outlet for the pain he or she is trying to hide.
We see a braggart who can't stop talking about his or her self. God sees a person who needs to know that he or she is deeply loved apart from what they've done or where they've been.
We see someone who is not only depressed but depressing. God sees a person who needs permission and a safe place to express his or her pent-up anger.
We see a wallflower who is always compliant and who never expresses an opinion. God sees a person who needs the boldness that comes from believing that he or she, as well as their opinions, matter.
We see an high-energy, over-achieving workaholic. God sees a person who needs to understand that true significance does not come from what we do.
We see a perfectionist. God sees a person who needs to love him or her self enough to allow for mistakes.
We see a deadbeat dad who walks away from his family responsibilities. God sees a person who needs to experience what a good Father is before he can become one.
We see a hopeless drug-addict. God sees a person who needs to believe that, for those who trust in Him, there is always hope.
We see a gang member who is filled with anger. God sees a person who needs intimacy and a sense of belonging.
We see a terrorist who is consumed by hate. God sees a person who needs to experience, at a soul level, the love of Jesus.
We see someone with zero sense of self-worth. God sees a person who needs to know that he or she is worth dying for.
We must love others as God does. We must look beyond their fault and see their need. After all, that's how our Heavenly Father loves us.
RSS Feed