1. What does I John 2:10 mean to you?
2. What does Christ command us to do in Matthew 5:44? Why? Matthew 5:45a
- What should our attitude be to the unlovely or hard-to-get-along-with person, that non-Christian neighbor, that impulsive teenager, that belligerent child, that insensitive mate, that alcoholic, that handicapped person?
DISCUSSION: Do we find it hard to love them? Why do we find it hard to love certain people? How can we overcome and correct this in our lives? What are some practical ways we can show the fruit of love to these people?
- Abiding in love is abiding in the light; the light of the Gospel not only illumines the understanding but warms the heart into love. The one who loves is neither blind nor will he himself stumble. He who hates his brother is both a stumbling block to himself and everything and everyone in his path.
- Christ commands us to love our enemies. That you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.
- Sometimes we find it hard to love certain people because they are obstinate, hurtful, unaccepted by others. There are personality clashes. They have different viewpoints. However, our attitude should always be one of Christian love. Christ has commanded us to love all men but we can only do so if His love is abiding in us and we are allowing His love to be perfected in us. Christ did not avoid these people.