“Give to
everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it
back.” (Luke 6:30, NIV)
Our first step is to become acutely aware that Jesus loves us right where we are.
He loves us when we’re prickly. He loves us when we fail to think before we
speak. As hard as it is to understand, we don’t always deserve a loving response,
but our Heavenly Father gives it in generous measure.
Being loved by Jesus allows us to love others. We are free to
give a measure of mercy, even as we work through conflict to resolve
differences.
2. Treat
them the way you want to be treated.
“Do to
others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31, NIV)
When we treat others the way we want to be treated, we give up
the need to control them or the situation. We stop looking for flaws, as we
realize how deeply flawed we are as well. We hold back verbal karate chops,
choosing words that heal rather than heat up the situation, because that’s
exactly what we’d desire if the tables were turned.
3. Love
unexpectedly.
“If you
love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those
who love them.” (Luke 6:32, NIV)
My pastor once asked this question: What if you made it to the end of your life having
loved only those who loved you back?
Loving difficult people is a harder path of faith, but it’s also
where His greatest work begins in our own heart. It’s where we begin to learn
new lessons like, “getting them before they get you” doesn’t make us stronger.
Or that living on the defense all the time leaves us little energy to battle
what really matters.
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