why is it so hard for us to love another?

Easy answer? yes. because we are human and people are naturally born selfish. We're insecure because we constantly seek acceptance in the wrong ways from the wrong people. I know. I know my imperfections and I've accepted so much wrong about me, yet I, for one, still pass judgement alll the time on people who i meet, some of them who I feel are just not worthy enough for me to speak to. Who am I to judge others and on what basis or grounds do i measure my own value over others.

Mathew 9:9-13

Service today talked about how Jesus gave A.I.D to people, regardless of their societal status. We learn that it is not the righteous he seeks, but the sinners. It is not the healthy he chooses to heal, but the sick. What good does it do when physicians only want to heal the healthy? what good does it serve if our church is only filled with healthy strong christians? Church should be made up of all different types of people striving towards the same goal, but we've all gone through the up-n-downs and have been wronged for whatever reason. I know that we pass judgment on those that we feel would not fit in our family, simply because they might not have the coolness factor that we are looking for. Often times, we tell them to go somewhere else. Although church is FAMILY, church should never be about the coolness factor. If my younger brother and sister were different than me, should i love them any less simply because they are not cool? No. we should love them because they are family and to love another for their well being is more than this world can offer. 

I question you - do YOU think with love and understanding, slavery could have ever existed? No. Slavery, AND EVERYTHING that was ever a hindrance to man kind was created by MAN alone, NOT JC.  Without loving each other, church is nothing but a brick-and-mortar shelter. We all should understand that its relationships with each other that is the very underlying foundation of the bible. 

A. I. D

A:

Actively accept people:

- When you invite someone to your home as a host, do you not always make sure the guests are well accommodated? Likewise, if someone new comes to your church, don't rely on passive acceptance - make the initiative to greet them as if they were visiting your home.

Actively notice who is missing

- noticing someone who does not show up for sermons lets them know that you value their presence.

I

Intimate relationships:

- Take it a step forward from just sunday service and small groups. Invite them over for dinner. Get to know them on a personal level and really care about their spiritiual life

D

Defend:

- Learn to defend them. If people question why you have been spending less time with your friends to reach out to someone else, defend the fact that you are trying to spread the love.

I am trying hard to make less judgements across people i meet. I also need to learn to make amends with those that i have come across. I don't know how its gonna go, but its always worth trying.