I’m just naive enough to be shocked when I hear about people mistreating each other—showing hatred for their fellow man. They act as if they are above the repercussions of their actions; maybe they don’t care about the aftermath. Nevertheless, caring or not, the law of reaping and sowing is a life principle; and it has a funny way of getting personal—especially when we reap far more wrath than we bargained for.
One kernel produces ears of corn—for years.
For they sow the wind [in evil] And they reap the whirlwind [in disaster]. The standing grain has no growth; It yields no grain. If it were to yield, strangers would swallow it up. (Hosea 8:7 AMP)
I know hate is not easy for many of us to digest when describing our own “justifiable” actions, but if hate is what we’re hurling out, we have to own it. In my opinion, this is one of the toughest test we will have to face on earth: How to love someone we have animosity towards? The results of this test sums up everything God needs to know about us.
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (1 John 4:20)
How can we love if it’s not in our hearts?
We have to let our love for God outweigh anything that opposes Him; including hating someone. The Holy Spirit, our Coach, will let us know when our emotions have crossed the line. We might ignore Him; that’s our choice, but that doesn’t delete His cautionary notice, and the consequences thereof.
To be mean is a choice.
If you don’t love your fellow man, but yet you want to be obedient to God, just remember you don’t have to feel love in your heart to treat someone with respect. All you need is integrity to do intentional acts of kindness. Perhaps one day the heart will come around; but until then—do what God said to do.
Have faith to know God means what He said!
What Jesus told us is not up for debate. We have to have enough love for Him to do what He told us to do. If you love Me, you’ll keep My commandments. (John 14:15)
The Greatest Commandment
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Matthew 22: 36-39)
© 2018
See you next week on Paulette Talks Faith.
Image by Creator76 via CanStockPhoto