Love is the Greatest
We have many people that come into our lives, especially since Caleb’s illness. Some become lifelong friends and others just pass through. Then there are those that make you wish your paths had never crossed! I have found that those are the ones you learn the most rewarding lessons from!
As I was preparing to write this column, one particular person kept coming to mind. A very nice, older lady who had some, well, let’s just say issues. I think her biggest problem was that she suffered from a common disease called ignorance. Others may call it being prejudiced, but no matter what you call it, it is upsetting to me. You see, I don’t see color. Or religious beliefs. Or sexual preference. I see a person that God has commanded me to LOVE, not JUDGE. No, I may not believe the same way they believe, but does not give me the right to condemn them. And this lady was very adamant about her belief that only “certain” people of a “certain” color and a “certain” nationality and religion were going to make it to Heaven. And she was very sure that she was one of these “certain” people and that that alone gave her the right to judge others! I would love to say that she was the only person like this that has ever graced my home. But alas, the world is full of those suffering from this horrible illness.
I’m not sure why this bothers me as much as it does. I know that not everyone is going to believe the way I do and that is perfectly fine. That’s what makes this world so wonderful. God did not make us into cookie cutter people! But His greatest commandment is to love one another. Not always an easy job by no means, but one we should try to accomplish. I hear Christians complain about how that one is dressed, and that one acts, and that one believes. And as Christians, they start gossiping, boycotting or avoiding these people. One question: How is this showing the love of Christ? On the other side of this debate, I have heard non-Christians say, “If that is the way Christians act, I would rather take my chances as a sinner.” We should not have to wear shirts that say “Do you know Jesus” or post pictures on our Face Book wall asking others to “Share if you love Jesus”. Our faces should show our joy at being a child of the King! We should preach not with our words but with the way we live. Love not judge! When a sinner looks at us, they should say, “I want what she has!” and ask us why we are so happy when our world appears to be falling apart. Friend, friend, friend…we are not going to win any souls for the Lord by walking around talking them! We need to love not judge!!
Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13
Copyright © Robin Pack, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved