“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another.” (John 13:34 NIV)
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Peter 4:8 NIV Above all, love each other deeply, because loves covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV)
I have had many debates over the years over do I have to love everyone. And do I have to like everyone. I searched last night. Granted, it was a web search, but it still counts in my book. Nowhere could I find that it says in the Bible that I have to like everyone. I found dozens of scriptures that said to love everyone but none that said to like everyone. And there is a difference.
So while I love everyone, I don’t have to like them. I forget which kid I was babysitting that dissolved in tears because he/she wanted something and I said no. They cried, “You don’t love me anymore.” I agreed. That got their attention. I told him/her that “I couldn’t love you more than I already do and that won’t change. But I really don’t like you right now.”
That brought another flood of tears and “why don’t you like me?” I sat he/she down and explained about attitudes and tantrums. Then I explained the consequences of such behavior and they were good the rest of the time I was there.
What do you think God thinks when he sees how we treat others? There are people I really can’t stand to be around, but they are God’s children too. I am learning to adjust my attitude to match God’s. Love everyone regardless. Regardless of their words or actions. So what about you? Do you love everyone? Do you like everyone? There has to be someone that rubs you the wrong way and when you see them you go out of your way to avoid them.
But just remember, the Bible says to love everyone. It doesn’t say we have to like them.
Have a great day everyone.
Kathy Keller
Writer and Prayer warrior with Answers2Prayer Ministries
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