Loving others. (Matthew 5:43-48)

I know I have been there, and you probably have been too, where the idea of loving others like that makes you want to instantly respond with, "Nope!" "Can't do it!" "Won't do it" "I hate them! I could never!" The idea that love like that is not only impossible but may as well be asking for perfection... which it kinda is.

So, how do we? Be circling back to truth that goes before the foundation of the earth and letting it speak wisdom to the "truth-of-the-moment". Example: person tries to force you to do something you don't want to. Do you bow? If it's truly against your convictions, and they are founded in CHRIST'S Mercy and Love, then no. However, it is to be done with grace. Resolute and full of Grace and Mercy. Not because it is earned, deserved, or even warranted, but because we are shown it.
It strikes me this would be self-evident when "The Lord's Prayer" is "...forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin against us." The start of it asking for provision in the same moment. "11Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Perhaps it is that in 15 we miss, "But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."
And yeah, that's really heavy, question is though, if we really do believe we are forgiven and that that much love showers over us daily, again and again with constant mercy and restraint, then how could we do any less and not be a hypocrite? How can we expect to be the light of the world showing a way through if we are playing the same game? What is the point to salt that has lost its flavor?

Now, dose that mean if we screw up or stumble that we are gone? Hell no. That means that we get a chance to grow when we see it. Stumble forward, HIS arms -will- catch you. We may do baby-out-with-the-bathwater, but HE does not. Even the imagery GOD uses about how HE handles things is pruning. HE did the wipe-the-whole-thing-out once, we have a rainbow to remind us of that promise, that truth, and that hope, that GOD will save the one, spare the city for even 10. (Abraham and Lot, I'll link it)

If we are willing to grow, and let HIM set the rules, that's a step in the right direction. So even if we can't Agape love, remember Peter at dinner after JESUS'S resurrection:
"Do you love [Agape] me Peter?"
"Of course I love [Felio (as a brother or friend)] you, JESUS."

"Peter, do you love [Agape] Me?"
Visibly upset "I love [Felio] you LORD!"
"Peter, do you love [Felio] Me?"
"I love [Felio] you!"

Even if we can't love they way we may want or the way we were intended to, HE will meet us where we are and take us to where we can go. Are you up for the journey?

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2013&version=NIV
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails.