“And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” (I Thessalonians 5:12-23)
Most all religions of the world have a component of good will towards others. But for the most part, religion is mostly centered on self. Even religious Christianity has this trait. What can God do for ME today? However, there is a people who are commanded by their God to love no matter what. No matter what the insult or physical assault. Love is the very core of true Christianity. It is always looking outwards towards the benefits of others. It is always putting others before yourself. As tiresome as that can get sometimes, it is very important that we do it because each soul we touch for God has eternal consequences and eternal rewards.
We love everyone because HE loves everyone. We are long-suffering because HE is long-suffering. We are patient because HE is patient. We are holy because HE is holy. What He does, we do. There is a place in God that you can get to where no matter what the insult or injustice you go through at the hands of evil people, you can honestly look at them through HIS eyes and feel compassion for them. Just like Jesus did when He was dying on the Cross. He said “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.”
The hardest yet most rewarding commandment of all is to love others as you love yourself. When we can get to this level in God, He can really begin to use us to advance His kingdom…and that is why we are here at this time in history. To bring the good news of the Gospel–the Kingdom of God and we can’t do that effectively unless we can LOVE and look outward beyond our own pain and our own needs and wants. Jesus said “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these other things will be added to you again.”
Don’t know Him?
Blessings everyone…
From the Heart of God... 