Menu

The Challenge of Loving Others

INTRODUCTION

Loving others is easy to understand. But it’s challenging to apply. Why? When we look at the Ten Commandments, the second half is clearly about loving others. This was how the Jews understood it and how Jesus Himself taught it. The early disciples and the early church practiced it. But why do people today struggle when it comes to loving others? Maybe we are asking the wrong questions.

THREE RIGHT QUESTIONS

  1. Wrong Question: Who is our neighbor? Right Question: Are you a neighbor? (Luke 10:25-37) – Often we struggle in terms of loving others because we tend to judge people whether they are deserving or not. We judge them based on external factors, i.e. their appearances, their backgrounds, their affiliations, their social status, their personalities, etc. We conclude that some are worthy of our love while others are not. But the right question leads us to search our own hearts. What kind of person are we becoming?
  2. Wrong Question: Why should we love them? Right Question: Have you received God’s love? (1 John 4:7-12) – Loving others requires a lot of sacrifice from us. We have to go out of our comfort zone. We have to expend energy. We have to adjust. In other words, is it worth it? Why should we give up so much? But the right question leads us to think about the love of God that we have experienced. How can we not love others sacrificially when Jesus gave Himself up for us to redeem us?
  3. Wrong Question: How do we love our neighbor? Right Question: How do you want to be loved? (Romans 13:8-10; 1 John 3:16-18; Matt 7:12) – Often we focus a lot on what others fail to do for us. When that happens, we become resentful and bitter. It’s hard to love others when others fail to love us. We struggle to think about how to love others because we are so focused on our needs. But ironically the solution is to actually focus on ourselves but ask this question instead: “How do I want to be loved?” This question will then help us to see clearly how to love others.

CONCLUSION

  1. Loving others requires asking the right questions.
  2. The wrong questions often lead to false excuses.
  3. If you’re struggling, start asking the right questions.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Do you often struggle with loving others?
  2. How can this sermon help you to love others?
  3. What will you do to begin this process?

Related Posts