Love, it can be hard. but yet it is very simple.

I read something profound that Jesus said this morning (I read it this morning).


"Jesus replied 'Love the LORD your God with all you heart and with all your soul and will all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment . And the second is like it- 'Love your neighbour as yourself' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these 2."


So. it's really quite simple. Love God with everything you've got and love your neighbour as yourself.

Lately I have been finding it challenging because I have been faced with people who do not respect or like me, people who speak negatively about me to my face and behind my back. It has been a rude awakening! My first response when I discovered this was to think 'justice must be done- i must defend myself and make them see it's not my fault, or show them how amazing I really am'. *rolls eyes*

Taking this up with my Special Wise Loving Friend, He revealed that this came out of a place of wanting approval, wanting to be liked by everyone. So, something of fear of man. That sucked to hear! I was forced to think about how I was going to respond when I come across people that badmouth me to my face or behind my back, those who accuse me of anything. I have to make a choice to love them, to show them respect even if they don't respect me.

It is becoming more apparent as this country more openly rejects holiness that being a christian is not all sunshine and daisies. There are many followers of Jesus all over the world that honour God in their faithfulness to Him when they are faced with the options of reject Jesus or choose death. It should be of no surprise then that people will mock us or badmouth us or spread lies about us.

So, in conclusion. Yeah, it sucks when people badmouth us, I don't enjoy it, but it is a great opportunity to choose to honour Jesus and love these people and be humble and accept correction, and to forgive.
And in amongst the midst of theological confusion and complexities- it is really quite simple. Love God, love your neighbour. Simples. :)