It is not easy to love all the small details about some of the people around us.
Whenever we spend time with some folkes we gradually but eventually realise how much we can’t stand little things about them.
It is for this reason that the second commandment in the Old Testament says we should love our neighbour as ourselves. The truth is many people find it difficult to even love themselves, so those of us who are having hang ups over these persons need to understand this message. As long as the person is not able to love him or herself they are going to have difficulty loving others.
Furthermore, have you ever noticed just how easy it is to love the people you love and similarly how easy it is to hate the people you hate?
Well, that is why it is repeated by Jesus in the New Testament when He said, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’.
Who is our neighbour? Our neighbour is more than the person who lives next door. Our neighbour speaks of everyone, including our enemies.
"You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48, NIV)
The reason God sends the rain on the good and the bad, the just and the unjust is that He is a perfect and Holy God. He also desires for us to be perfect and holy.
We are therefore being called to love the bits and pieces about each other, as difficult as that may be.
The next time you have an encounter where you would react unpleasant to your neighbour, love them. Love their bits and pieces, though tough it may be. You can do it with God’s help. Though I don’t fully agree with some of the things people do around me, I must still love their bits and pieces.
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