Imagine looking down on this world. There is violence across the globe and racial tensions everywhere you turn in the US. Slurs and shootings have dominated the news this week. Sure, we have made progress since Selma but how much have we really made? Jesus has to be looking at this and thinking, “This is what I gave my life for? Doesn’t anyone remember my last command to LOVE?”
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12
I mean, WHAT PART OF THIS MESSAGE DON’T WE UNDERSTAND??? Jesus didn’t say we can selectively love only those who we love. He commanded us to love one another. That’s EVERYONE!
It’s pretty simple—because life is meant to be very simple! You love everyone. Period and end of statement. If you don’t, you are certainly not a Christian because you are not following the command of Jesus Christ. In fact, you’re an anti-Christian. Pure and simple because you’re doing the exact opposite of what Jesus commanded us to do the night before he died.
I’m not on some high horse. I’m the world’s best sinner. I struggle all the time to LOVE people who I have trouble even looking at. But I force myself to PRAY for them and to see Jesus in each one of their faces. I force myself to LOVE.
We may not think we can control what is happening in the Middle East or in Ferguson, Missouri, but we can sure control us. And that starts with loving EVERYONE you encounter. That includes the person who cuts you off in traffic, the scheming co-worker after your job, and the person with 50 items in the 12-item check-out lane at the grocery store.
You have to smile. You have to forgive. You have to LOVE. If we each do our part to let just a little of that love that God flows into us flow out of us to others, maybe—just maybe—we can start changing this world one person at a time. Change has to start somewhere or this world of ours will spin out of control.
Jesus gave us a command. Not a maybe. So, if you think you are a Christian start acting like one. LOVE!
It’s that very, very simple!
The Real Secrets to Life™ 
You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44″But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” Matthew 5: 43-44
Great verse, Andrea. Thanks for sharing!
Ted
A revelation of the Father’s Love changes everything! I love the simplicity of the gospel: Love God and Love one another! So Good! I love Ephesians 3:14 every family in heaven and on earth have one Father! and Eph 4:6 One Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. How did religions get it so wrong? God is Love and we are made in the image and likeness of Love; anything else is anti-Christ!
Great comments. Yes, simplicity in the Word because God means simplicity in life. And it starts with God is love. Thanks for sharing.
Ted