We live in a pick and choose world. We live in a buffet line society. You can design your car, home, school, career, phone, office, clothes, computer, and church. You can choose your friends and even do so without any face to face interaction. Invite a person to be your friend on FB...don't like them...block them. Follow someone on Twitter...don't like them...unfollow them. Block callers from accessing your phone number. Block callers from seeing your number. Lock yourself in your home.
Avoidance. It is and always has been a coping mechanism. Don't want to hurt the wife's feelings...eat the apple. Don't like the music...throw the javelin. Don't want to deal with the pressure...tell everyone she's your sister. Don't want to tell people that God wants to give them another chance...hop on a ship. Don't want to admit you know THE MAN...curse his name.
Don't agree with someone...turn the other way when you see them. Don't agree with life choices...talk about them behind their backs. Don't appreciate the way a friend treats their children or spouse...avoid contact. Don't like the way a friend handles a situation...give them the cold shoulder. We are excellent with "leaking" our feelings and emotions with sarcasm and body language.
"While we were still sinners Christ died for us." God did not choose perfect people...he chose you and me. He stands beside me as I fight angry emotions. He holds my hand when I struggle with bitterness. He patiently reaches for me when I hurt someone else.
"Love...bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." God's love does not quit, fail or surrender. God's love does not become frustrated and walk away when I act in ungodly ways. God's love continues to flow in the midst of my anger with him. "Nothing can separate me from the love of God." Just imagine how differently Christian communities would be seen if we lived in God's manner.
Love at all times. Love at all times. Love at all times. Love at all times.
There are no earthly reasons to love at all times.
There is only one heavenly reason to love at all times...his name is Jesus.
How do you keep your love going strong in dealing with people?
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