Always Love

 Matthew 22: 39

"And the second is like it, "Love your neighbors as yourself"

I was cleaning up the other day and during that time I normally speak with God and vice versa and in the midst of the conversing, I had this thought. 

Some of our greatest tests would be to love and to forgive. 

It kind of blows my mind because these aren't what people would call 'great' acts of sin. 

You know when you hear fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and so forth, you automatically know what's the outcome of those will be, but to love and forgive seems to be grazed over. 

They are both things that can be easily said but outrageously hard to even do. 

I must confess I've been at war with these two for more than I would like to admit. 

To Love, especially. 

To Love like Christ. 

Christ's love for us regardless of what and who we are is remarkable amazing. 

When you speak of His love, you speak of a love that covers every mistake and mishap that we may have done to offend Him. 

He forgives and He still holds us, dear, to Him. 

That is hard, my friend. Especially when you're actually doing it and not just saying it. 

To love like Jesus, we must love those who hurt us. 

We must forgive persons who have never said sorry to us. 

To give to persons who may never say thank you or even look like they need it. 

To get down on our knees and pray for those who have done us wrong. 

Always think positive regardless of the knowledge we have of a person who thinks negatively of us. 

It's a tough, tough pill to swallow. 

To love our neighbors as ourselves. 

To see their flaws and still love them regardless. 

To see them hurt us and still hope for the best for them. 

To still give to them when they haven't given to us. 

It's a very difficult and complicated task and I guess it's the reason why instead of trying to swallow that pill, we swallow offense instead. 

We would rather hold the unforgiveness, the hate, the arrogance, the envy, the strife, the bitter because it's easy to hold rather than forgiving. 

Can you imagine the body of Christ finally vomiting up that pill that keeps us from obeying the second greatest commandment?

Finally, letting go of the hurt and loving each other in truth and fairness. 

Actually being a brother and sister's keeper! 

How amazing that would be!

Our feet will finally be free from stagnant. Unity would be at its peak. 

The wonderful things we will accomplish!

But, for now, we are still here. Rooted in offense. 

No trust. 

No love.

No Forgiveness. 

Fingers constantly pointed at the other to blame for why we are the way we are when it is our hearts that can't uproot themselves from its bitter soil. 

I pray that we make it out of this. 

I pray that we love for real. That we really love each other the way we love ourselves. 

Finally, take care of each other the way we take care of ourselves. 

What a force to be reckoned with we will be!

~TheRay