Mark 12:29-31
29 “This is the most important,” Jesus answered:
Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, The Lord is One. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
31 “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”
John 13:34-35
34 “I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Matthew 5:43-46
43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
Colossians 3:14
Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity.
The secret to trying to change enemies, friends, parents, teachers, and even little brothers and sisters is to make attempts to love them just as Jesus showed examples of love in the Bible, and just as Jesus has loved you.
People can’t ignore it, they can’t stay the same when they are drenched with the type of love Jesus was giving away, showing to people He encountered. Love will change them.
Here’s the catch! We are sinners. (duh, I know right) It is very hard for us as humans to continue to show love to people who don’t accept it or who throw our attempts right back in our face. BUT we are not told to love people just once, like giving them just one shot. We, as followers of Jesus Christ, are told by our Savior to love the “unlovable”. So don’t quit! Never give up. And when you get tired and weary, just think of all the Jesus has done for you starting with His sacrifice on the cross.
Related Text:
Galatians 5:22-23
1 Peter 4:7-8
1 John 4:17-21
