Love People for Who They Are, Not for What They Do [Podcast]
The human race seems to be in a downward spiral these days. Look at what is happening around us; a global pandemic, political unrest, racial tension, and disagreements on moral standards. We lack love for each other on a level like never before. Is this becoming the new normal? I am concerned that we're shaping what future generations of people will view as normal behavior toward others. The human race is full of hate and hurt. It is our job as Christians to bring positive change to the world right now.
Listen to the Good Christian Podcast episode about this post:"How Christians Can Finish 2020 in the Best Way Possible"
As followers of Christ, what can we do about all of these issues the world is facing right now?
I could go many different directions when answering this question, but as I sat down to think about what the world needs from Christians right now, one thing stood out the most. I've determined that the number one thing the world needs from Christians right now is LOVE. Love is the most powerful force in the universe; and Christians hold the key to unlocking it's potential in the world.Love is every Christians primary calling from God. (Love God and love people) Why aren't we extending love to others right now? It's because we're just as hurt as the rest of the world is right now. We all hate where the world is today. But the more we express hate, the more division and negativity we spread.
Related Post: Stop Judging and Start Loving
It's time for Christians to step into the calling that God has placed on our lives. And that begins with changing our attitudes toward others. Yes this means being okay with someone's flawed perspective and (or) even actions that are wrong so that you can love them instead of judging them.God has asked us to love people for who they are, not for what they do. Let that sink in for a moment! What does that mean? In my life, God is saying that I need to love people because God made them in His image, and Jesus came and died for them, regardless of their lifestyles, actions, and beliefs.
The job of every Christian: Love people for who they are, not for what they do.
Loving people for who they are is the way that Jesus loves us all. He showed that love while He was living on this earth. Time and time again, throughout the Bible, we see examples of Jesus loving people in this way. The actions of a person did not matter to Jesus when it came to loving them. All that mattered was the fact that God created them. Loving people unconditionally is the example that Jesus set for each of us to follow.
"We love because He first loved us." - 1 John 4:19
Loving people unconditionally is not something that comes naturally; it's a choice. You have to choose to love the people in your life that are difficult to love. I encourage you to make a conscious effort to love even the most difficult people in your life. No matter what they believe, no matter what political party they follow, no matter the lifestyle they decide to live, love them because Jesus does.
As Christians, we are called to live like Jesus; unconditional love is what we need to show the world.
Jesus died willingly on the cross so that we would be saved. Jesus died regardless of our political views, beliefs, or our lifestyle choices. Even if we decided never to follow Him, Jesus still saw each of us as worth dying for. That is unconditional love! Every believer is called to love others in the same way that Jesus loved each of us.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, love always perseveres. Love never fails. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
The world is in turmoil right now. What we can do to help as Christians is step it up in the area of loving others! This starts with loving your neighbor, who may be living a lifestyle that you disagree with or has different political views. It is up to us to help make this world a better place, and it all starts with love!