Christ died for them, too
We all have someone in our lives who we find hard to be around. Maybe it’s a coworker, a neighbor, or even a family member. It’s easy to let feelings of annoyance or dislike grow into a barrier between us and them. But as followers of Christ, we are called to look beyond our personal feelings and see people as God sees them.
The Bible tells us in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
This verse reminds us that Christ’s love is not limited to those who are easy to love. He died for everyone, including those we struggle to get along with.
When we understand that Christ’s sacrifice was for all, we begin to see the value in every person. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” This is not just a suggestion; it’s a command. Loving those who are difficult to love is a way of showing the world that we are truly His disciples.
Think about the person you dislike or can’t stand to be around. What if you prayed for them? What if you asked God to help you see them through His eyes? It’s challenging, but it’s also life changing. It changes our hearts and allows us to be vessels of God’s love and grace.
1 John 4:19-21 says, “We love because He first loved us. If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.”
This passage is clear: our love for God is reflected in how we treat others. We cannot claim to love God while harboring hate or disdain for others. By choosing to love those we find difficult, we are living out the love of Christ in a tangible way.
Christ’s death and resurrection were the ultimate acts of love and forgiveness. As we strive to follow His example, let us remember that His love extends to everyone. That person you dislike, the one you can’t stand to be around? Christ died for them too. Let’s ask God to help us love them as He does, with a heart full of grace and compassion.
Fifty years ago, I committed my life to serving the Lord. I hold an associate degree in Christian education and a bachelor’s degree in Christian counseling. In my retirement, I focus on studying and sharing the teachings of God’s Word with others. I maintain three Facebook pages dedicated to spreading the Word of God. To contact Dean or share you own thoughts, email hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com.