Steps to Loving Others

Loving Others-easier said than done. But yet, as followers of Christ, we are called to love others. Matthew 22:36-39 says it perfectly:

"Teacher, which command in God's Law is the most important?
Jesus said, 'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them" (The Message).

Our purpose in life is to not only love God with every fiber of our being, but we must also love others as much as we love ourselves. Yes, even those who tend to get on our last nerve! Look at what Matthew 5:43-47 has to say:

"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that” (The Message).

Here’s what I love about these verses-it clearly states that we are to love our enemies and in turn, allow them to bring out the best in us, not the worst. I don’t know about you, but when it comes to loving those who I tend to not “like” – unfortunately, the worst in me comes out, not the best. When was the last time you allowed someone to get on your last nerve and in turn, allowed them to get the best of you? Scripture tells us that when someone gives us a hard time, respond through prayer-give it your best-let them bring out the best in you. Not only will you bring a smile to the face of God, but you will walk away feeling at peace and demonstrating to those around you, the heart of God.

Lastly, let me share with you 10 steps that you can follow in your quest to love others. These steps come straight from God’s word and His definition of Love:

1 Corinthians 13:3-7: “If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end” (The Message).

1)Love is a choice-don’t give up!
Wake up every morning choosing to love those that the Lord places in your path. Love is a choice-you choose whether or not to love those that you come into contact with. Start your day off choosing to love others.

2)It’s not about you.
When it comes to loving others, you must look beyond yourself. What needs are there around you? Who’s hurting? Who needs a helping hand? Who’s struggling? Remember-this life is not about you. When you spend time reaching out to others, you end up walking away feeling blessed. God wants to use you to reach out to others.

3)Be Content.
Be content with what you have and where God has placed you. If you tend to fall for the “grass is greener on the other side” syndrome, you will have a hard time loving others. Remember, it’s not about you. Be happy with the many blessings that are in your life. When you are content, you allow yourself to extend love to those around you.

4)Keep your emotions in check.
Do you tend to fly off the handle at every little thing? Do you think everyone is against you? Do you take everything the wrong way? If you are going to fulfill God’s command to love others, you must keep your emotions in check. Check them at the door every morning. Meditate on God’s word throughout the day. Commit to memorizing scripture on a weekly or even monthly basis-scripture that will help you keep your emotions in check.

5)Forgive others.
Colossians 3:13 says it best:
“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it” (The Message).
Remember, love keeps no records of wrongs. You must learn to let the past be the past.

6)Trust God Always.
When you fully trust God with every area of your life-all you can do is love others because you have a quiet steadfast faith that God is who He is says He is and He will do what He says He will do.

7)Focus on the positive.
Do your thoughts tend to focus on the negative things that are taking place in your life or on the positives? Focus on the good that God has blessed you with. Once again, when you do, you are much more open to loving others.

8)Slow Down.
I don’t know about you, but when I am on the go, go, go-not only am I exhausted, but I tend to become grumpy and even a little snappy. When my attitude gets this way, I definitely do not love others. If you find yourself always on the go, not getting enough sleep, etc.-slow down. To love others effectively, you must slow your pace.

9)Tame the tongue.
Learn to speak words of blessing rather than criticism. Instead of looking at things with a critical perspective, learn to speak words of blessing. Be a woman who only allows “good” to come from her mouth.

10)Stay tuned into Christ.
Make it a priority to chat with God on a daily basis along with reading His love letter to you on a daily basis. Above all else, this will empower you to love others!

My challenge to you this week? Love others! Who you will you extend your love to this week?

Until next time!