“Loving Everyone” is so much easier said that done. Walking in love is not something that instantly happens when you rise from the baptistery. To know what “love everyone” looks like, you need look no further than Jesus. Whatever we see Jesus doing, we should be doing. Roman 8:29″..to be conformed to the image of His Son”

There are times when I don’t see a lot of “love everyone” on my Facebook feed. To be fair, most of it is in response to something horrible that has happened in the world. Crime. Politics. Terrorism. That’s pretty much all you hear on the news. These things bring strong emotions. But we can’t be controlled by these strong emotions. For example: has someone or something ever ticked you off so bad that had too….fill in the blanks. Did you have to “straighten someone out”? Did you have to “check” someone? Were they idiots? Fools? Did you call them everything but a Child of God (interesting phrase there)–if only in your head. Or did it burst from your head and flee violently from your mouth? Or though your keyboard? If 10 of your posts and 10 posts of a nonbeliever were mixed together would I be able to tell the difference?

Our response in all situations must be love. We pampered Westerners see love a feeling…an emotion. But love is a choice. Love is a command. Noone can be exempt from that command. Jesus again is our example. Jesus hung dying on a cross, an innocent person brutalized based on charges brought by His kinsmen as His mother looked on. If anyone in the history of the world has the right to anger, it was Jesus. But those people who condemned Him were there very ones he was dying for. He loved them more than His life.

When we see the people in our newsfeed that arouse strong emotions, show them the grace that Jesus showed you at the cross. You may say “well I’m not there yet.” or “Jesus is still working on me”. That’s true of me as well, Friend. But try to see each person the way God sees them. Try to see everything that God wants to provide them if they’d only turn to Him. You may be who God is sending their way. In everything you do (or post) do so to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you that you hear me when I pray. I thank you for your patience as I seek to do your will. I pray that you conform me more daily into the image of your Son Jesus who bore my sins and the sins of many on the Cross. I ask that you keep my tongue from evil . I ask that You guide me so that my words are full of grace and wisdom and that they build up and not tear down. May I never use my words to curse human being who have been made in Your likeness. Lord remove gossip, unwholesome and deceitful words from my mind and heart. Grant me discernment to know when to speak and when to be silent–set a guard over my mouth. Help me to be even-tempered and not use my words recklessly but instead to turn away anger and to bring healing. I love you and trust you. I ask all these things in Jesus’ Name with the help of the Spirit, Amen.

Be blessed.