Focus On Love, All Other Things Will Follow

I can't help but be troubled with certain things in this world.

Poverty, ignorance, religious intolerance, depravity argued as 'good', insanity coddled as progress, and how people continue to choose sides like a herd of animals.

I become troubled because I focus on these issues, attempt to argue through them, and thus become embroiled in a mindset that I have been far removed from.

What would life be like if people didn't have differences, or desired not to discuss their different ideas?

We'd likely resemble robots, or clones, or parrots repeating only official and popular ideas.

We sometimes easily see such shortsightedness in others, or other cultures, but do we see the very same realities in ourselves, our society, our culture?

It is how we discuss our perceived differences with people near and far that makes a difference.

Set your minds on things Above, not on earthly things. 

- Colossians 3: 2

It is our manners, our character, our choice of words, our emotions (and how we handle them), which determine our ability to realize what God has done.

I don't think God wants us troubling our minds with the things which lead us to be divided... because eventually we may become absentminded to the things of God, or be divided against Him in our minds.

It is very possible to not see eye-to-eye with another human being and allow separation to occur.

This sometimes happens and usually for a greater purpose; a lesson, a time to mature.

If a physical separation is to occur, the aim should be to still include that person into humanity, to hold them near your heart.

To still love them although they may seem unlovable, or refuse your love, or are utterly disagreeable.

We should realize that God's message has not changed and will never change.

In this we can take comfort.

God's message is love.

His message is that He loves everyone.

That everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him. For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. 

- John 3: 15-17

His message for mankind: to love one another.

Our challenge is to express this message of love, even when opposed by hate and indifference.

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 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.

- Matthew 5: 43-45

God wants us to encourage others in what they are doing right (good), instead of always pointing out what people are doing wrong.

In this way, people can do more of the good and pay less attention to what is incorrect... and thus the good will be 'done' and the bad will not.

God doesn’t judge people according to their beliefs in what their ancestors did.

So long as people do good themselves and do good to others is the greater issue.

Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 

- Romans 13: 10

How is the past being shown in the light of love?

How is today being discussed and the now being handled regarding decisions?

Is the discussion opening a door to learn about love, or arguing about the dismal past of typical human failures and depraved patterns?

Love is not religion, but a way of life.

Love is life.

Consider how this agrees with what is found in your heart.

Yeshua didn’t send His disciples out to convert people to a religion or a particular culture, but to forward the good news of His resurrection and His love for all people.

With this message, people began to change on the inside.

For it is within that His kingdom exists, lives, and is found.

Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Yeshua replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in within you.” 

- Luke 17: 20-21