Loving Others

I was reading the other day and came across a quote that resonated we me. It stirred in my that thought that many of us have lost touch with the spirit of Christs message, or were possibly misguided by those we learned from.

“We have no right in Christian work to be guided by our affinities; this is one of the biggest tests of our relationship to Jesus Christ.” ~ Oswald Chambers

Yet, as I considered the quote, I think the comment is too limited. Shouldn’t this concept be seen and applied in a much bigger context that “Christian Work”? If we have chosen to follow Christ and acknowledge Him as our Lord and Savior, then doesn’t his Word teach that we need to apply this principle to our lives in general whether we are in “Christian Work” or not. Shouldn’t we treat people the same PERIOD! Regardless of their affiliations or if we have something in common with them? In other words, we shouldn’t treat people better or worse based upon what group they are apart of.

It seems to me, that we should strive to have our actions should honor Christ, regardless of who is involved. We should do our best for all peoples to be able to look at us and see a loving difference in our lives that also shares truth while not hearing rejection, arrogance, or hate.

Consider Mark 12:30-31

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

And then how about Matthew 5:43-47

“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 children 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 own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Together, these two sections of scripture guide us to openly care for others. They do not imply that we should ever compromise our principles, or water down God’s word to accommodate desires, but it also does not imply that we try to beat people over the head with 100 lb family bible.

Is it any wonder why many people have rejected Christ? Just look how many of His people have treated them. Why would they ever want to draw close to THAT?

When I look at Christ’s life as an example, I only see Him angry or critical of the religious elite who should know better. And quite honestly, today, those people are in the church, not the world. The others He lovingly gave choices to, and they chose to not follow, He let them go their way. Why do we find it so hard to follow His example and do the same?