Loving the Unlovable:

[Aquila]

I believe that the very essence of Christianity is found in loving God and loving others. That's what this is really all about. The rest is filler. No one is perfect. We're all flawed and have sins. We're all broken. All too often I've noticed that it's easy to judge a person when I think I'm better than they are. The truth is, I don't know what it's like to be them. I don't always know how they feel or what they've been through. Jesus met a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. Being a Samaritan she was a social outcast. She was also judged and rejected as being immoral. This is because she had been married 5 times and was currently living with a man who wasn't her husband. But Jesus treated her with love and respect. Jesus revealed to her that He knew her story. Then Jesus revealed to her who He was, in spite of the stigma she bore. We then read how she immediately went back to her community and told everyone about Him. Next, the entire community came to hear Jesus speak and many believed on Him. Who was their evanglist? A woman who had been divorced five times and was currently living with a man she wasn't married to.

Jesus looks past our sin, brokenness, and failures. He sees a person of infinite value in every one of us. Christians should look at people the same way.

Jesus went as far as healing the servant of a centurion. If most people understood the typical arrangement between a centurion and their younger servant in ancient times they'd better understand why the centurion deemed himself "unworthy" to have Jesus enter his house. Yet the centurion had faith that Jesus could but speak the word and his servant be healed. Jesus didn't stand yelling at him, "God hates gentile dogs!" Jesus didn't ignore him. No, Jesus commended the centurion for his great faith, spoke the word, and healed the servant. Jesus met the need in the life of a person we'd all most likely not think very highly of.

Sometimes the way we treat other people (and even fellow Christians who are struggling) is pathetic. I want to see and love everyone as being the priceless people they truly are. It's not always easy. However, I think that is what God desires to see in us.

God... give me your eyes.

http://www.youtube.com/​watch?v=P5AkNqLuVgY&ob=av2n

[Titus2woman]

I so stink at this...

But I am trying.

Why you always gotta pass out the hard assignments Aquila?

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

I so stink at this...

But I am trying.

Why you always gotta pass out the hard assignments Aquila?

were not suppose to be able to do it.

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

were not suppose to be able to do it.

I disagree. I am great at lighting up dimmed faces without being codependent, and I imagine, and even see that those of you who never had to deal with codependence are even better. Unless I am totally misunderstanding.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

I disagree. I am great at lighting up dimmed faces without being codependent, and I imagine, and even see that those of you who never had to deal with codependence are even better. Unless I am totally misunderstanding.

To truely love as Christ is beyond our natural ability, it comes by revelation and empowerment from above.

[bbyrd009]

Lol. Amen.
I might extent that to
"The minute...the second you find a problem with another person's _____, you are lost.
You lost it at "problem." Goes double if you are a preacher. I have Scripture for all this. You represent satan when you dictate the conditions under which one might be saved, and those misread Bible verses that you have added to are not going to save you.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

Lol. Amen.
I might extent that to
"The minute...the second you find a problem with another person's _____, you are lost.
You lost it at "problem." Goes double if you are a preacher. I have Scripture for all this. You represent satan when you dictate the conditions under which one might be saved, and those misread Bible verses that you have added to are not going to save you.

I believe you have Scripture, but could you provide the Scripture reference when you mention it?

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I believe you have Scripture, but could you provide the Scripture reference when you mention it?

Well, if you'll allow the observation that "preaching" in the US has evolved into "teaching the fear of hell," as I'm a little rushed right now, I'll go with "the splinter and the beam" thing. Wish I had a bit more time here, but consider how teaching "fear of hell," which might sound like it could be easily defended, is at the end of the day, just teaching "Fear," in Christ's Name.

If you are pointing any finger from the pulpit, at anyone, you cannot be demonstrating life, more abundantly at the same time. It just doesn't work like that. You are satan's best worker in that position, imo.

[bbyrd009]

One cannot judge this for themselves, obviously, as you are both pretty good in this area. Shades of re-repenting, Batman. Speak that you are great at it, even. Amen.

[AreYouReady?]

Aquilla, do you have a Godly love towards me, your sister in the Lord?