LOVE IT AND HATE IT.

Oh Lord, truly, I love it when You "prick" my heart and mind with Your Words.   When Your commands touch me and remind me of what You ask of me.   Quite literally, what You command me. ---  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." John 13:34.  I'm so thankful when Your Word sparks a fire in my soul.   Who am I that I would not love another?  Who am I that I would think you were talking to everyone but me?  Who am I to think I can judge one another and decide who is worth love and who isn't?

Your command to "love one another" sounds simple.  Go out and love those who are friends.  Go out and love those in my family.  Go out and love those who make me feel good.  Oh Lord......if only!  If only everyone was my friend.  If only everyone in my family agreed we me.  If only everyone made me feel good.  If only!  

Oh Lord truly, I hate it when you "prick" my heart and mind with Your Words.  When Your commands touch me and remind me of what You ask of me.  Quite literally, what You command me.---  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."  John 13:34. 

My heart is "pricked" this morning because He is commanding me to "love one another as He has loved me."  My heart is reminded that He isn't calling me to ONLY love those who are my friends and make me feel good BUT to "love one another as He has loved me."  Oh Lord, truly I hate that.  I do.  It's too hard.  I am to love those who aren't nice to me?  I am to love those who I find not as "good" as me?  I am to love those who I feel I have the right to judge?  I am to love those who don't look like I think they should look?  I am to love those who are smelly and embarrassing?  Really, Lord, I am to love them too? 

Again, He "pricks" my heart with Him saying to me....."who do you think you are?"  "Are you perfect?"  "Did I, Jesus, die for only you?"  "Are not all people my creation?"  "Is my Salvation only for those that measure up to your standards?"  Oh Lord, thank you for showing me that I am nothing but a sinner who often thinks of herself as better than someone else.  You aren't calling me to "love one another" when I feel like it.  You aren't calling me to "love one another" if I feel they are worthy of love.  You aren't calling me to "love one another" only on the days I want too.  No.  Even when it's hard (especially then) you ask me to "love" in Jesus' Name.

 

Your Word also tells me in Romans 12:3 this, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." 

His Word....such a beautiful "place" to be.  His Word is truth.  God doesn't lie. (Ephesians 1:13 & Numbers 23:19)  Although, many times I hate the things God tells me, it isn't because I hate His Word....NO....it's because He "pricks" my heart to remind me of my sins.  His Word reminds me of how desperately I need a Savior.  God knows that when I live in His love and His truths, my life will be blessed.   Blessed with His peace and forgiveness. 

Jesus said,  “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 38: 31-32.  Yes, His Word.  His beautiful Word has the power to set us free.  I may hate some of what He tells me but that's only because my sinful nature doesn't want to be reminded of what I don't want to hear.  Yet, He knows that His Word of truth is what will bring me my best life.  Not at all meaning that life will be perfect, BUT, my heart will be full of His promises and His truths and it's that Word that will keep me strong until that day when He calls me Home.

Jesus, my Savior, has set me free.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16.