Putting God First - Conviction

Have you ever heard or read God’s word and something just pings in your heart in a way that you know God is trying to convict you of something? That happened to me this morning. I was listening to the radio and the preacher was teaching from 1 Thessalonians 3:12:
And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you.

On the surface this is a verse I’ve heard many times and one that usually doesn’t trip me up. As I'm driving I'm praying for the day and for things on my heart. I'm asking God to step in and change our city so those hurting will find places that give hope and life. At this point I'm probably feeling pretty good about myself because I’m starting my day in this fashion when the radio preacher says something like…

“Isn’t it easy to let God’s love flow out of you with people you like? BUT what about people you don’t like. How are you loving them?”

He didn’t say anything about ever liking them, just loving them. Loving them? I must confess that there are people in this world that I don't like. And so loving them certainly is not something that ever crossed my mind. Just the thought is challenging and to add to that an action like “how are you showing them love” is almost incomprehensible for me.

Yet, Christ died on the cross for them too. He loved them so much that he endured the pain and the shame of their sins along with my own. That is HOW He showed His love. Am I willing to follow Christ’s example? Oh, I don’t think that God is asking me to endure death on a cross but I do believe that He wants me to allow myself to show love to those I don’t like. To let my pride and my ego die. So I’m left, and challenged with, “how” do I show that love? Here are some initial thoughts:
1. To not wish harm on them.
2. To not harbor nasty thoughts about them or allow my mouth to speak poorly about them.
3. To pray sincerely and humbly for them.
4. Possibly to go out of my way to do something nice for them.

Could God call me to do more than that? Yes. Will I be ready when He does? With Christ’s love filled in me I believe it is possible.

Father God, once again I am amazed at your unlimited love. You have touched my heart in a place I did not know needed to be corrected. Help me to love those I don’t like in real ways that require action not just thought. Fill me with your love to the place where it overflows and splashes out onto every person I meet. God you know who needs to be loved today and you do that through your people. May you use me to love someone today. AMEN