Loving Those We Don’t Like
“Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Luke 12:13-14
Think of the parent whose son is being wayward, the husband whose wife doesn’t want him to give anything to his church, as well as the office intern whose boss insisted that she take down the Christian poster taped to the wall of her office, and they are all bothered and want these people in their lives to change, at least in their attitudes, and they pray, “Dear God, please change the world, starting with the people I don’t like!”
They are all intent on changing the world, starting with someone else!
They are caring people who are sincere and honest in their desire to help but they had this in common: they are trying to do what God’s Holy Spirit alone can do.
The parent can’t turn the son into a sober and thoughtful individual. The husband can’t turn the wife into a generous and caring person. The father’s son has long since slipped out of his grasp, and the young intern can’t change the opinion of her boss.
“Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me” (Luke 12:13). Another way of putting the request might have been, “I’ve given up on getting my brother to see things my way; now, Lord, please apply some pressure so I can get things my way just the same.”
Jesus reproved the individual who wanted him to intercede on behalf of the one who didn’t get his fair share of the inheritance and in doing so Jesus taught a very important lesson.
There are times when only God can change the hearts of people, and helping him out with our nagging, coaxing and cajoling may only make God’s work more difficult.
So instead of alienating the individual, we want to be changed by our nagging and attitudes, let’s pray and quietly wait for God to do the changing.
If you are struggling with an individual who could be described as irregular, be patient. Pray earnestly, and await God’s answer, in His time and in His way.
Perhaps you can help the most by loving the person who annoys you with the expectancy that God will change that person.
You can’t whip them into shape, but you can pray them into the path that the Holy Spirit will use to accomplish God’s purpose.
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” Colossians 1:9