I have to admit that my heart is cold towards people. Some of you may be wondering what does that really mean. It means that the way people act these days that my love for them is non-existent.
I am to the point where if a person I did not know was in danger, I would not care. You may be going really? I know I am supposed to love my neighbor as myself, but I find that increasingly more difficult. People these days are just hateful towards one another unless you believe in 100% of their actions and what they are saying.
I would care if my family and friends were hurt by another person and to be honest, I am not sure what I would do to that person. I am fiercely protective of family and friends to the point where I would lay down my own life for them.
My wife and I were talking about this today and she pointed out a Bible verse that I thought was relevant.
Matthew 24:4-14 New International Version (NIV)
4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
I am not sure how you feel, but I know that love for people has grown cold. I use to be different, but after people constantly trying to manipulate or take advantage, I became pretty bitter. However, I am not supposed to act this way as a Christian.
Mark 12:30-31 New International Version (NIV)
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.
Matthew 5:43-48New International Version (NIV)
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Ephesians 6:12 New International Version (NIV)
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 4:32 New International Version (NIV)
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Pray that God will change me to love my neighbor as myself, to forgive, to be compassionate to others, to pray for my enemies, and to remember that the real enemy is Satan not people.