I know that Thanksgiving is the holiday which reminds us to be grateful for the things that God has done for us, appreciate our family and friends, and also encourages us to be more introspective about our walk with the Lord, but a couple of life experiences this month have made me reflect on two scriptures about getting along with others.
Mark 12:31 says, “…Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” and Romans 13:10 says that “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
We live in a world comprised of people from all ethnic/racial, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds, and as Christians, we must strive to be like Christ and try to leave peacefully with others. Sometimes however, people make this difficult.
I often wonder why God doesn’t give us a “pass” when it comes to living with or working with people who are hateful. People who stretch the limitation of our patience toward them. People who do things with the intent to draw some sort of ”less than honorable” response from us or who simply enjoy trying to inflict physical or emotional pain on us.
After prayer and thinking back to Jesus’ life, I had to come to terms with the fact that if God didn’t give Jesus a pass, then why would he give us one? Jesus understood that His purpose was to save all not some. He also knew however that there would be people who (by their own free will) would not accept Him. He understood that some people would try to discredit him and His understanding of the scriptures, would later beat Him and while He laid dying for their sins on the cross would mock and ridicule Him.
So knowing this (even though it is incredibly difficult) I am praying for just a pinch of the love and inner strength, that Jesus had to fall on me when I must deal with those who are persecuting me – even if they are my neighbors. I am also asking God the Father to help me to find forgiveness in my heart so that in my living, I can honor my Lord and Savior and Him.
It is my hope that you may do the same.
Blessings.