30 Jun LOVE = REACH Day 19

I am sure you are bombarded with political conversations in the workplace and really everywhere you go – I know I am…and rightfully so, it is a major decision for America and we must truly commit to get out and VOTE AND remember to PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS! This week, I overheard two people talking about the election and the intensity continued to elevate the longer they conversed. It made me think how often we disagree with the views / lifestyle of others and it can change the way we treat someone.

So let me ask… Do you have trouble agreeing with your friend’s choices? Can you not accept another person’s different political views? Do find yourself approving or not approving of how someone you know thinks about controversial issues?

Here’s a secret to REACHING the people you don’t agree with: love them anyways.

This might seem like a difficult thing to do, but this is merely following in the direction of love.

It seems that we have gotten confused with the idea that in order to love a person we have to agree with them. The scarcity of people that will agree with you on every topic, scripture, and religious viewpoint will limit you to a small amount of individuals in your life.

I believe that we have a responsibility to speak truth, but only if that truth can be spoken in love. Years ago, I had to battle this idea. I grew up in a great home, attending church, but often had some harsh ideas about how people who lived less than the standard of being Christ like should be treated. I shunned people. And I watched those people never want to have anything to do with a LOVE like that.

Now that I am a mom I understand what it is to LOVE regardless. No matter what my son does I love him. No matter how deeply he hurts me, I love him and I want the best for him. I know in order for him to have the best he needs a loving environment. He needs people around him who love him and believe in him. The same is true of all those people you don’t agree with. They were made with a purpose, in the image of Christ, God has a plan for them…. and they need someone to believe in them and to love them.

Our relationship with others shouldn’t be based on whether we agree or disagree with an individual.

You can love someone you don’t agree with because love is not a matter of our approval; it’s a practice of grace.

It is grace that keeps the commitment of love continually fresh.

There are times when you must let go of a relationship because it is damaging/harmful, but oftentimes we let go of relationships for petty reasons. We then choose take the easy way out instead of the hard road towards a beautiful friendship that is full of grace.

The hard path is the one that will help us grow, stretch, and become a better person.

I believe that grace is motivating. When someone experiences grace it challenges them to evaluate who they are. Extend grace first, build a relationship, and then allow God to open the door where you can speak life-giving truth in their life. When you give the other person what they need first, they are more apt to listen.

So the next time you struggle with your friend or someone else because you don’t agree with them, let your ability to love speak first rather than your opinions. Imagine you are talking with a family member, a child, a niece/nephew, or a sibling and allow the conversation to flow from that heart (one that wants the best, believes the best, and will stay around to help the best come out)!

Read these verses found in Titus 3:1-9 (TLB)

“Remind your people to obey the government and its officers, and always to be obedient and ready for any honest work. ² They must not speak evil of anyone, nor quarrel, but be gentle and truly courteous to all.

³ Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient; we were misled by others and became slaves to many evil pleasures and wicked desires. Our lives were full of resentment and envy. We hated others and they hated us.

⁴ But when the time came for the kindness and love of God our Savior to appear, ⁵ then he saved us—not because we were good enough to be saved but because of his kindness and pity—by washing away our sins and giving us the new joy of the indwelling Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out upon us with wonderful fullness—and all because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did ⁷ so that he could declare us good in God’s eyes—all because of his great kindness; and now we can share in the wealth of the eternal life he gives us, and we are eagerly looking forward to receiving it. ⁸ These things I have told you are all true. Insist on them so that Christians will be careful to do good deeds all the time, for this is not only right, but it brings results.

⁹ Don’t get involved in arguing over unanswerable questions and controversial theological ideas; keep out of arguments and quarrels about obedience to Jewish laws, for this kind of thing isn’t worthwhile; it only does harm. “

REACH:

Ask God to help you love those who differ from you and find ways to show grace and love to these individuals.