Loving Difficult People

We all know some.

We all know someone in our lives that make us feel like this.

"Oh no. Not again. I really do not want to deal with this person right now. I'm not in the mood. I know I'm supposed to be loving and kind and all that, but seriously, this person is just hard for me to love."

It can be anyone. A Family Member? Someone from your Job? Someone from the Neighborhood? A Friend of your Child even. Someone that gives you a headache with just the thought that you may have to deal with them again, no matter how brief, for any reason whatsoever.

You know what Jesus said?

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." {John 15:12}

I really what you to think about that. How did Jesus love us? Yup. He died for us. The Word declares this in John 15:13

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

I can hear you. You are saying "Yeah, yeah, yeah. For my Friends. But you are talking about so and so. They are not my Friend." Well? Jesus came to Earth to Save those that actually Stripped Him, beat Him, Tortured Him, and Murdered Him by Nailing Him to a Cross. Do you think you would die for someone like that? Romans 5:7-8

" For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

The majority of People that Jesus saw on a daily bases were not Happy Shiny People that loved Him and wanted to be Friends. Most of the People Jesus dealt with?

Doubted everything He said.
Questioned Him continuously.
Falsely accused Him of things continuously.
Sought His harm continuously.
Insulted and Besmirched Him daily.
Even Tortured and Killed Him.

Yet? In all this, He said this as He took one of His final breaths.

"And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments." {Luke 23:34}

Oh, we may choose to lay down our Lives for someone like the President, or Superstar, or some kind of Hero. But Jesus came and laid down His Life for us. Sinners. Lowlifes. The Most Difficult of People. You know, "Adulters, Fornicators, Dirty Living, Lew, Idolatrous, Witchcraft Loving, Hate-Filled, Contentious, Jealous, Angry, Selfish, Troublemaking, Heretical, Envious, Murderers, Drunks, and Partiers." {Galatians 5:19-21} That IS us. That IS who God so Loved, that Jesus had to come and Love, and Die for. This is why Jesus tells us this in Luke 6:27-36

"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

So who is that Difficult Person in your Life? Are they annoying? Or are they trying to Kill you? Either way, they simply do not know what they are doing. You should come to a place where instead of avoiding them, you should try teaching them. 2 Timothy 2:23-26

"Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will."

As a Matter of Fact, The Word declares this in Philippians 2:3

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."

I have heard it said, and I believe it to be True, that we, you and I, Children of God, may be the only Jesus some people will ever see. Some will never step foot in a Church, pick up the Bible, or engage in a quest to find the Truth. But there you are, standing in front of them. Talking to them. Treating them??? What kind of Jesus are they seeing?

What does being a Child of God look like? Quick and Cold? Rude? Nasty even? Or Warm and Loving. Open and Forgiving? Always Loving and Lifting up, or Hating and Tearing down? Are you looking them in the eyes? Are you Hiding from them when you see them coming? What did Jesus do when He saw those that would Torture and Kill Him coming? Did He hide from them? No. Matthew 26:46

"Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me."

He rose and went to meet them. They were not coming to insult Him or give Him a hard time, they were coming to Execute Him in the most brutal Execution in history. He rose up from His position on the Ground and met them face to face.

Yes. Yes, there are Difficult People in our Lives. They can be annoying. The can be anything from Disrespectful to downright Abusive. You may not be able to change them. But you can change how you receive them. Remember, you can only be Offended if you CHOSE to be Offended. Simply chose not to be.

It's like a Child throwing a Tantrum. Annoying. Loud. Irritating. But in the end, you know that you Win. You are the Parent. You have the Power. You have the Control. When a non-Child of God is acting in a way that is Annoying, Loud, Irritating, or pretty much just throwing a Tantrum, just remember, as a Child of God, you have the Power. You have the Control. In the end, you know that you Win. Need assurance? Read Romans 8.

What you need to do is simple BE the Child of God, God calls you to be.

"Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will."

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord.