Romans 12:10 begins with this challenge. I call it a challenge because Paul exhorts us to love one another in the body with brotherly love. I have a brother and love him dearly. I am able to allow him to be him and I can overlook what I consider his faults; however, I am not so good at doing that with all others. Because he is my brother and “love covers a multitude of sins”, I am confident that nothing he does affects his basic love for me, nor mine for him.
We are called not to judge, yet I know I do. I even judge my natural brother, but I then choose to love instead. I can do that because I already love him.
I sometimes forget that the family of Christ is also my brother and my sister. I forget to choose love for those who may not fit my expectations; even I can’t fit my expectations. I wish that all would love me as I am, am ok with those who don’t, and I hope to be able to accept and love my brothers and sisters in Christ the same way. They are a gift to me from my God. They are my friends, counsellors, network, family, testing ground, teachers, comforters… I do, in fact, love them all and am grateful that they are in my life…all of them.
juliesramblings 